Five years ago, all seemed possible for the Chicago Bears. In 2018, the Bears beat the NFL odds for a 12-4 record and an NFC North Division title. Despite a playoff loss, Chicago seemed to be a team of the future. Head coach Matt Nagy was named Coach of the Year and celebrated as a genius. However, it all turned out to be a mirage. Since that campaign, the Bears have not posted a winning record. Last year, Chicago collapsed to a 3-14 mark. But Bear fans refuse to quit and believe the worst could be over.
NFL Future Odds Post Draft 2023-24 Chicago Bears
| Super Bowl Championship SBG Odds: | +6000 |
|---|---|
| NFC Championship SBG Odds: | +2200 |
| NFC North Division Championship SBG Odds: | +380 |
| 2023 Over/Under Win Total: | 7.5 |
Chicago Bears 2023 NFL Draft Overview
The Chicago Bears addressed the offensive line with their first pick. To show, the Bears took Tennessee offensive tackle Darnell Wright with the Number ten pick after trading down one spot. Finding protection for 2nd-year QB Justin Fields is an obvious offshore bookmaker priority. Chicago’s future rides on Fields, who lacked a quality supporting cast in 2022.
Darnell Wright – A Key Piece to the Puzzle
The Bears chose to pass over Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter. Subsequently, they traded with the Philadelphia Eagles from No. 9 to No. 10 to get protection for quarterback Justin Fields. Wright was the second offensive lineman taken after Paris Johnson Jr. went to Arizona.
Wright brings the top traits general manager Ryan Poles and coach Matt Eberflus covet in offensive linemen. Indeed, the 6-5, 333-pound Wright checks a number of those boxes after running a 5.01 40-yard dash at the combine. Correlate that this is the second move Chicago made to improve the offensive line this off-season. After addressing the right guard spot with Nate Davis, finding help at right tackle was the next priority.
Wright was a right tackle for most of his career at Tennessee. However, he has ample experience at left tackle and right guard. The opening at right tackle created by Riley Reiff’s departure is where Wright is expected to start as a rookie. His ability in pass protection is what stood out most to the Bears.
In turn, the Bears believe Wright is extremely physical, strong, and big. Most important of all, the biggest asset is his strength and the ability to hold his ground. Wright can move people around at his will.
Consider that Wright was successful in doing that in 2022. Fashion that Wright finished with the lowest blown block percentage in the SEC. Also, he had zero blown blocks on 388 designed rushes in 2022. That was the second-most plays without a blown run block among FBS offensive linemen.
Gervon Dexter Fortifies D-Line
Namely, Gervon Dexter made 24 starts in 38 games at Florida. He checks all the boxes of the traits Bears coach Matt Eberflus covets with his defensive linemen. Indeed, Gerson is big, long, and fast. The 6-foot-6, 310-pound defensive tackle ran a 4.88-second 40-yard dash. That was the fifth-fastest time among all defensive linemen in attendance at the NFL combine.
General manager Ryan Poles decided to stay put in the second round until the Bears got on the clock at No. 53. Despite five pass-rushers coming off the board on Friday. In the process, Chicago addressed arguably its biggest NFL betting odds hole on defense.