The Chicago Bears Are On The Clock

The Chicago Bears find themselves in familiar, yet unfamiliar territory. After finishing 3-14 in the 2022 season, they claimed the right to the first overall pick in the draft. And with Justin Fields at the helm, the “presumed” franchise quarterback, they had some wiggle room to deal with. Quarterback needy teams were destined to come calling for that pick - with the right to draft either Bryce Young or CJ Stroud. We all know what happened afterwards. David Tepper and the Panthers gladly took that pick in the process. They swapped picks, added the 61st overall pick, a first round pick in 2024, a second round pick in 2025 and wideout DJ Moore. Carolina then selected Bryce Young over CJ Stroud…and we all know how that turned out. The key part of this is that first round pick in 2024, which ended up culminating in the number one pick for this years draft. More on that in a bit.

In the heads of the Bears and Ryan Poles this was a no brainer. Stockpile picks and pair a Pro Bowl wide receiver with your promising young dual-threat quarterback. We’ve seen it done in other places like Buffalo and Miami. And while it did translate to big numbers from DJ Moore this year, the questions about Fields remain. A 7-10 finish this year, while an improvement, is still not good enough. Fields found himself still searching for that “jump” that we see with year three guys. His somewhat subpar QB play was concerning, and heading into year four with contract talks looming, that’s not the ideal place Chicago wants to be. But with all this uncertainty, the first overall pick has again fallen into their lap. Now we all know the prized possession of this draft is generational talent USC QB Caleb Williams. The Bears have themselves in one of the most interesting draft conundrums in quite some time. 

I want to highlight some of the avenues the Bears can take leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft; what kind of offers could be on the table and what looms for Justin Fields. Who’s gonna offer a king’s ransom for the first overall pick? 

Trade Scenario 1

- The Bears keep the Pick, Trade Fields to ATL and select USC QB Caleb Williams

(Trade Terms: Chicago receives Falcons 2024 2nd, 2026 4th and Cordarelle Patterson)

I feel like this is the most likely situation that occurs. It’s really hard to pass up on a guy like Williams who comes out every once in a blue moon. And from recent comments and actions via Ryan Poles, this seems the most likely situation. They like Fields but don’t think he’s good enough and they want to rebuild the offense around the next franchise QB in Williams. The addition of Patterson here is a nice wrinkle, as the Falcons will give the bulk of the load to Bijan Robinson in his second year. With Tyler Allgeier backing him up, Patterson’s spot becomes expendable. He fits in as a gadget player for Chicago who can do multiple things. For Atlanta, they get a quarterback who can finally play the position, and get the ball to his backs and receivers. While you may think the 2024 2nd rounder is too high, remember that the Falcons will receive either the Jaguars 2nd or 3rd round pick this draft, depending on what happens with Calvin Ridley. So its not a total loss for Atlanta.

Trade Scenario 2

- The Bears keep Fields and trade back with the Patriots. Chicago selects Marvin Harrison Jr. 

(Trade Terms: NE sends 2024 1st, 2024 2nd, 2025 1st, 2025 4th & Matthew Judon) 

This one also really intrigues me. The idea of pairing DJ Moore with a big time talent like Harrison could be a deadly combo. With Luke Getsy fired, they can bring in a new offensive coordinator, who can maximize the talent of Fields and use what works for him while adding an incredibly talented skill player. They’d get big time assets from a rebuilding team like New England and a pass rusher to pair with recently acquired Montez Sweat. 

Trade Scenario 3

-The Bears trade with the Commanders, keep Fields.

(Trade Terms: WAS trades 2024 1st, 2024 2nd, 2025 1st, 2025 3rd, Curtis Samuel & Emmanuel Forbes)  

This one I love. These two teams already have a real relationship after the Montez Sweat deal, and both teams are looking to shake things up. Joe Harris isn’t afraid to swing big as he’s done a bunch of times during his time as 76ers owner, and this time would be no different. The Bears would move back one spot and could still take Harrison. In this scenario, they’d add Samuel whose a multi-gadget offensive weapon and a second year corner in Forbes, who struggled and may need a change of scenery. win-win for both teams.

Trade Scenario 4 

-The Bears trade with the Minnesota Vikings, keep Fields 

(Trade Terms: 2024 1st, 2024 2nd, 2025 1st, 2026 1st, & Danielle Hunter) 

As a lifelong Vikings fan, I’d be perfectly fine doing this for the chance to draft Williams. Hunter was shopped various time over the last two years, so including him in this deal feels like a no brainer. He’d add a presence on the other side of Sweat, coming off a career best season. Chicago could take best available in this spot - maybe Rome Odunze.

Now I do feel like there are other teams that could make a move for this pick; the Broncos and the Raiders being two of them. But I’m not entirely sure they have enough assets to move up that far to take Williams.

However, when it’s all set and done, I believe that there will be a new signal caller under center in 2024 for the Chicago Bears. It’s been a longtime coming for Bears fans - a true franchise quarterback.

Week 12 Power Rankings

I apologize for missing a week! I was basking in my sorrows after the Jaguars got curb stomped by the 49ers. It’s ok though, we move. And we move onto Thanksgiving week, a week which is a fairly good sticking point to see where your teams are going to be for the remainder of the season. As we give thanks to the important things in our life, today’s theme of categories will be related to Thanksgiving foods and the popularity of them. A fun little anecdote for the week ahead. Both conferences are heating UP! In the AFC, all but three teams are still very much in it for the last two spots. And over in the NFC, the same thing occurs - the last two wildcard spots are available, but not as many teams in the hunt. Let’s get to the Turkey, shall we?

Hot, Juicy Turkey

1. Philadelphia Eagles (-) They passed their biggest test on Monday in KC. The Eagles aren’t winning flashy or pretty this year, but they are getting the job done. A makeup of a championship team.

2. San Francisco 49ers (+5) The bye week clearly did this team wonders. A wildly impressive win in Jacksonville and then coming home to take care of business against the Bucs. The Niners are officially back.

Mac N Cheese

3. Baltimore Ravens (-1) After a tough loss at home to Cleveland, the Ravens bounced back by sweeping Cincinnati. This team is the biggest threat to Kansas City right now, and it's not particularly close. We will see how much the loss of Mark Andrews for the year impacts this team.

4. Detroit Lions (+2) The Lions just came from behind at home to beat the Bears and have their best start since 1963. Let me repeat. 1963. Bask in it, Detroit.

5. Kansas City Chiefs (-3) the Chiefs made a mistake at the deadline by not getting a wide receiver. It cost them on Monday. Will it cost them a championship?

Sweet Potato Pie

6. Jacksonville Jaguars (-1) Their loss to the 49ers was eye opening. It was the Jags worst home loss in 4 years, but they responded with an absolute drudging of their division rival Titans. So the Jags are stuck in the hall of very good. They will remain there until proven otherwise - however, their next two games can change that narrative: at Houston and then home for the Ravens on SNF. If they can sweep those two games and go to 9-3, maybe they are the biggest threat to Kansas City.

7. Houston Texans (+6) - This is a top 10 football team. Stroud has already claimed the OROY award, and his team is finding ways to win. His last two weeks have been turnover heavy, but when you play the Cardinals you can figure it out. The Texans have a monstrous game against Jacksonville Sunday at home with the AFC South division lead on the line.

8. Dallas Cowboys (-) The boys continue to dominate bad teams, so it’s hard to move them up in any significant fashion. They play Washington on Thanksgiving, so there shouldn’t be any issues there. However, after the Commanders, Dallas starts a stretch of games that will tell us who they are.

9. Miami Dolphins (-) Read the Cowboys.

Ham and Corn Casserole

10. Cleveland Browns (-) DeShaun Watson is out for the remainder of the season, but if there is any team in the league that can withstand their QB going down, it’s Cleveland. The Browns defense is now on par with the 2000 Ravens and the 2008 Steelers, both teams that won Super Bowls. The defense did it again Sunday by taking the Steelers at home in a 13-10 walkoff win. DTR was serviceable.

11. Cincinnati Bengals (-5) Obviously, losing Joe Burrow for the year is a massive hit. The Bengals aren’t serious Super Bowl contenders anymore, but they are still alive for the playoffs. Let’s see what Jake Browning can do.

12. Denver Broncos (+10) The new hottest team in the NFL. Four straight wins and the 70 point debacle seems like a lifetime ago. Sean Payton has these guys playing great football and Russell Wilson looks great again. Broncos Country is ridin!

13. Seattle Seahawks (-1) The Seahawks are 6-2 against everyone not named the Rams. It doesn't make sense, but Pete Carroll just seems to struggle against Sean McVay. No matter, I think the Hawks are still in a good spot though. They need to keep pace though. A Thursday Night Thanksgiving bout against the 49ers awaits.

14. Minnesota Vikings (-3) So the Vikings winning streak is over. But Josh Dobbs and the boys were in it until the last minute. A late TD by Russell Wilson prevented them from winning their 6th straight game. The Vikings aren’t going away, that’s for sure. Kevin O’Connell should deserve some recognition at the end of the year.

Butternut Squash Soup

15.Pittsburgh Steelers (-1) This team simply aint doing anything with this offense. Mitchell Trubisky can do what Kenny Pickett is doing. Let that sink in.

16. Indianapolis Colts (+4) Bye week, but the Colts are marvelously knocking on the door.

17. Buffalo Bills (-2) This drop includes the loss to Denver. The Bills beat down the Jets, but at 6-5 they are on the outside looking in. They could realistically only afford one more loss until things can possibly get dicey. 10-7 doesn’t guarantee to get you in the playoffs in the AFC this year.

18. New Orleans Saints (-1) Bye week.

Brussel Sprouts

19. Green Bay Packers (+7) Winners of two of their last three, and probably should’ve won all three. They are 4-6 and have a punchers chance at a wild card spot. They need to win in Detroit on Thanksgiving to have a shot. No easy task.

20. Los Angeles Rams (+7) The Rams are alive. A second win against the Seahawks puts them in an interesting position. They now own the tiebreaker and they play the Cardinals next week. A Rams win and a Seahawks loss has the Rams a game out.

21. Las Vegas Raiders (-) The Raiders may have lost to Miami, but they fought hard. This team is no longer a cupcake on the schedule. Antonio Pierce should get a shot to do this full time.

22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+1) The Bucs are frisky, but they clearly don’t have enough. However, if you look at the standings, they are only a game off the division pace. Can they do it again with a sub .500 record?

23. Los Angeles Chargers (-7) More of the same from this team. It’s over for Brandon Staley and may be over for 2023. Out of all the teams in the NFL, the Chargers are the most dissapointing one.

24. Atlanta Falcons (-) Bye week. Arthur Smith should still be let go.

Stringbeans and Broccoli

25. New York Jets (-7) One of the worst offenses I have ever watched. Aaron Rodgers shouldn’t even come back if he can - he would get killed behind this offensive line. Saleh’s coaching should come into question with his undying support of Zach Wilson. It was wild two months ago and can end up getting him fired.

26. Chicago Bears (+2) More of the same for the Justin Fields Bears era. He makes a couple of nice throws, but the game ends up in an L. Wash. Rinse. Repeat.

27. Arizona Cardinals (+5) They aren’t the worst team in football. Not even close. Kyler makes this team watchable. Had ample opportunities against Houston and couldn’t pull it off. But no longer an easy “W” on the schedule. Should still be a W though.

28. Washington Commanders (-9) Ron Rivera is cooked. I’ve been defending Sam Howell all year, but this past weekend was horrendous. You can’t lose to the Tommy Devito Giants. You just can’t. Embarrassing L for the Commanders. Season is over.

29. Tennessee Titans (-4) Officially one of the worst teams in football. The run for the Titans is over. They have the worst roster in their division, and there is really no end in sight. The Jags and Texans have franchise QBs. AR oozes talent. What do the Titans have? A stubborn HC and an aging running back. Will be a long couple of years for Titans fans.

30. New York Giants (-) Tommy Devito won a football game. What I would give to be at that Thanksgiving table.

Thankful These Teams Aren’t Playing on Thanksgiving

31. New England Patriots (-2)

32. Carolina Panthers (-2)

Week 3 Power Rankings

Yes, we are a little late to the party. But Week 3 hasn’t REALLY started yet. After a couple of weeks, teams identities are starting to come into form. But the end of September is when the teams who were down in the dumps last year really rise to make their mark. The teams at the top haven’t changed week over week, but there is a lot of jumping and hopping in the middle. Let’s get right to it.

Power Rankings - Week 2 (September 15th-18th)

1. San Francisco 49ers (-) Frisco had a more competitive game last week against the Rams, but the fans showed out as they took over SoFi Stadium. A win was never really in doubt.

2. Dallas Cowboys (-) For the second week in a row, the defense dominated. But the offense got going and handled a really good Jets defense. They have outscored their opponents 70-10 in the first two weeks and travel to Arizona. The loss of Trevon Diggs cannot be understated.

3. Miami Dolphins (-) Miami is now 2-0 on the road. Tua is 5-0 against Bill Belichick. The fins found another way to win by running the ball, and for the second week in a row the defense came up big when it needed to.

4. Philadelphia Eagles (-) I kept them here out of respect for them, but they have not looked good for two weeks in a row. They are a Justin Jefferson fumble and a Kayhson Bouttee foot from possibly being 0-2.

5. Baltimore Ravens (+6) Baltimore knew this game would be tough, but they handled their business and are now 2-0. For the Ravens though, the trend seems to be about how they finish, not how they start.

6. Kansas City Chiefs (+2) So far it’s been about defense. Against two high powered offenses, the Chiefs defense has given up two total touchdowns so far. Their secondary has vastly improved year over year.

7. Washington Commanders (+12) Sam Howell has looked very good after two weeks. The defense had seven more sacks and if not for the Hail Mary, they would have won comfortably in Denver. If they can find a way to beat Buffalo at home this week, you better start believing.

8. Buffalo Bills (+9) A complete 180 from week one. Josh Allen was almost perfect and the defense was excellent. They travel to Washington to face an up and coming Commanders team.

9. Detroit Lions (-2) The loss of CJ Garner-Johnson is huge. The secondary still has its issues defending the pass. 31 points should be enough to win at home, but until the Lions figure it out defensively, its hard to see them getting extremely far.

10. Jacksonville Jaguars (-5) The offense was pathetic on Sunday, not scoring once in four red zone trips. The defense has been outstanding, giving up a shade over 15 PPG in two weeks to start the year. They should be able to right the ship against Houston.

11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+5) Baker has been playing loose and free, and it’s showing. The defense is not done yet, and these guys are playing inspired. Kudos to Todd Bowles, who we’ve crushed in the past for these guys getting off to a good start. Huge test Monday night against the Eagles.

12. New Orleans Saints (+1) The defense has been outstanding so far, although it’s been against two subpar offenses. The offense needs to figure out how to score in the red zone. That flaw has seemed to follow Derek Carr from Vegas to New Orleans.

13. Atlanta Falcons (+7) Gutsy win at home against Green Bay. This defense is legit. Another week of watching these boys and I’m doubling down on the NFC version of the Titans.

14. Cleveland Browns (-8) You can’t underestimate the loss of Nick Chubb. Probably the best pure runner in the game, he will be missed. Now all the pressure lies on the QB who is making the most guaranteed money in the NFL. And he hasn’t looked good in 8 contests in a Browns uniform.

15. Cincinnati Bengals (-3) For the fourth time in five years, the Bengals have started 0-2. I am not worried…yet. If this Burrow calf injury lingers, then yes, I will be officially worried.

16. Los Angeles Rams (-2) The Rams stayed competitive against San Francisco, but they did revert a little bit to 2022 Rams. We will see how things go on Monday against a desperate Bengals team who may or may not be without their star QB.

17. Green Bay Packers (-7) Jordan Love is playing well, but the accuracy is a clear issue. There is no doubt I think the Aaron Jones injury played a part in the loss on Sunday. But i’m fully blaming the defense for a 4th quarter collapse.

18. Seattle Seahawks (+7) In a game they had to win, Seattle walked into Detroit again and beat the Lions for the second straight season. Geno Smith was excellent, as was Tyler Lockett. The Hawks better figure out the defense though. Second week in a row they gave up 30+ points.

19. Tennessee Titans (+5) Is anyone surprised the Titans have played two games that came down to the wire? This time they came out on top, and Ryan Tannehill quelled the QB controversy talk for at least one week.

20. New York Jets (-11) Yes, they went against the vaunted Cowboys defense. But reality set in this week for the Jets. This is a vastly different team with Zach Wilson. They need to get the run game going, and the defense needs to step up in big games. A 14 game losing streak against the Patriots is on the line next week.

21. Indianapolis Colts (+6) We saw the full Anthony Richardson experience on display. He ran for two scores in the first quarter, but also got hurt for the second week in a row. This time, it was a concussion that took him out of the game and will reportedly miss week 3. The kid has to be able to protect himself.

22. Las Vegas Raiders (-4) Who are the real Raiders? We will find out Sunday Night as they host the Steelers. The offense hasn’t produced a 20 point game yet, and with Davante Adams and Josh Jacobs, you think that should be quite easy.

23. New York Giants (+7) Well, it took the Giants a massive second half comeback against the Arizona Cardinals to keep the NY fans from having a full blown panic attack. I wish we had a camera for Brian Daboll in that half time locker room.

24. Los Angeles Chargers (-9) I’m done with the Chargers. Is this team ever going to win a close game? Their season is on the line Sunday in Minnesota.

25. Minnesota Vikings (-2) After going 11-0 in one score games last year, the Vikes are now 0-2. The arrival of Cam Akers should help the run game, but they need a win Sunday at home to keep their season afloat.

26. Pittsburgh Steelers (+2) This is your yearly reminder to NEVER take pre-season to seriously.

27. New England Patriots (-5) It’s actually sad when you see a team playing hard and doing the best they can, but they’re just not good enough. That’s the reality in Foxborough. They just don’t have the horses. Bill always gets his guys up for Jets week though.

28. Denver Broncos (-7) Sean Payton has made this team more competent, sure. But they are still losing games. Two straight to start the year at home, and now they travel to Miami…

29. Houston Texans (-2) CJ Stroud hasn’t looked bad at all, but the team is just not good. Now we have injuries to Derek Stingley, Laremy Tunsil, Jalen Pitre and Jimmie Ward. Woof.

30. Carolina Panthers (+1) Yes, they moved up after a loss. But that is an indictment on the team behind them.

31. Chicago Bears (-2) Dumpster fire.

32. Arizona Cardinals (-) “Caleb Williams, no matter what” (Kevin Costner voice)