Justin Fields' shoulder injury has sparked the debate about whether the Chicago Bears should look ahead to the 2023 season -- and the 2023 NFL Draft -- and rest their star quarterback for the rest of the year.
It's a fair debate and one that doesn't have a clear answer. But with the 2022 season all but over for the Bears, it's time to begin focusing on the upcoming NFL draft and the prospects that can fill Chicago's most significant needs.
The Bears currently hold the third overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Players like Alabama's Will Anderson and Georgia's Jalen Carter will be on the shortlist of preferred prospects because of Chicago's needs on defense. They're the best value for a selection like that, too. At this point, there isn't an offensive lineman or wide receiver who warrants top-five consideration.
Before we can filter through the 2023 draft prospects who'd make the most sense for the Bears, we first have to tier the team's positions of need. Much will change between now and the draft, so this can also serve as a primer for free agency.
Here are five needs that GM Ryan Poles must address (as of now) in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Edge rusher
Poles' decision to trade Robert Quinn one season after Quinn set the Bears' single-season sack record with 18.5 in 2021 indicates that he's using this year as a reset. As talented as Quinn may be, he's getting older, and the likelihood he'll remain as productive as he's been when the Bears are ready to compete is very low.
Enter the 2023 NFL Draft and Anderson, the most talented non-quarterback in the class. If the Bears remain in the top three or four picks, Anderson is an absolute no-brainer, even if they sign a pass-rusher in free agency.
Center
Center is more like the Bears' 1(b) need than a true second on this list. Incumbent starter Sam Mustipher is terrible. He's the weakest link on a struggling offensive line. There's little doubt he'll be replaced this off-season.
The good news for the Bears is that starting centers can be found in the middle rounds of the NFL Draft. Only five or six interior offensive linemen are considered top-100 prospects at this point in the 2023 draft cycle. There's a good chance Chicago will find an upgrade over Mustipher without investing a high pick on the position.
A lot will also depend on the health of Lucas Patrick, who was signed to a two-year, $8 million deal during the 2022 free agency period. He underwent toe surgery and was limited to just seven games (five starts) this season. If he's healthy and ready to go, the Bears may have their replacement already in place.
Offensive tackle
Braxton Jones has been a quality starter for the Bears in 2022, but he isn't immune to being replaced by a blue-chip first-round prospect. Jones could slide to the right side of the offensive line if Poles decides there's an upgrade at left tackle, too.
An offensive tackle is a premium position worth spending a top-10 pick on. And with Jones and 2021 day-three pick Larry Borom the likely holdovers entering the offseason, the Bears will make an upgrade a priority.
Northwestern's Peter Skoronksi and Ohio State's Paris Johnson Jr. would both look great in Bears blue and orange.
Interior defensive lineman
Justin Jones has been a good find for the Bears in 2022, but there isn't much talent on the roster behind him. Georgia's Jalen Carter is one of this year's special talents and will be hard to pass up if the Bears don't add some interior playmakers in free agency. Armon Watts has been fine, but there's not much to get excited about at what's become an increasingly more important position as offenses continue improving their rushing attacks.
Wide receiver
The trade for WR Chase Claypool pushed wide receiver down the list of 2023 NFL draft needs right now. Claypool hasn't done anything noteworthy through three games in Chicago, but Poles spent his second-round pick to acquire the former Steelers playmaker. That's already a 2023 draft investment -- a high one -- on a wideout. Perhaps the Bears double-dip and take another pass catcher with their remaining second-rounder (Baltimore Ravens), but don't be surprised if this is a position that's pushed into Day 3.