Bleacher Bums Forum

We'll see how the draft goes, but I certainly think the Bears can compete in '23.

Bears were competitive in a lot of games last season losing a few be just a couple points and a few more by 1 score.  Adding 3 pro-bowl quality players (Moore, Edmunds, Jackson) and upgrades with Nate Davis, Billings and Walker.  Foreman could be an upgrade over Montgomery.  But that's 6 or 7 new starters right there.

The draft could add 2 or 3 more starters.  Big question is can the Bears significantly upgrade the front 4.   That could be difficult with the draft  but free agency is not over...not by a long shot.

But having said all that - its all going to depend on Fields.  He has to get better...a lot better.   

I don't predict game or season but I'd guess this team could be closer to .500. 

Can you just go ahead and predict 30 wins?

Hard to predict anything til the dust settles...

Give me a strong defense and good solid run game...

The D can improve if they can at least stop the run.  If you have the cover guys you can always blitz.  But there's really no substitute from a pass rush from the front 4.

Bears need to find at least 2 starting pass rushers in this draft.  That will be tough figuring they are supposed to go OT in R1.  Poles strategy might just be to draft the F out of the front four after R1.

Like you said earlier, that’s what makes the non-pursuit of Ngakoue so puzzling…

He's been with so many teams that one has to wonder if he's just a bad guy.

I think the Bears are 100% better off adding to the O-line. Defense can wait. Get the offense humming first. the years of d first winning teams is behind us.

I know it won't be a popular opinion, but I think they'll be OK just adding one - at least early in the draft.  I think Gipson and Robinson will be fine with a sturdier interior of the D-line.  If the DTs offer ZERO pass rush threat, then non-elite DEs will have trouble   I might move Justin Jones to DE and look for some more beef inside.

Like the NBA you got to be able to make your own shot - Gipson and Robinson couldn't do that last year.  Robinson was a rookie so there's hope but Gipson in my opinion was one of the biggest disappointments of the season.  Gipson is still only 26 and coming into a contract year so there's still some hope.

But the addition of journeyman part time starTer DeMarcus Walker and run stopping Andrew Billings isn't nearly enough.  Bears can manipulate the draft so they can get a really good RT and 2 d-lineman with their 3 picks in R1/R2.  After that I still go D-line and corner with 2 of the 3 next picks.