NEWSLETTER
Statistically speaking, the Chicago Bears’ season isn’t over. They still have five games. And, in theory, they’d have a puncher’s chance of making the postseason if they were to win out.
But speaking from a more realistic place (like Earth), it’s OK to start peeking at what lies ahead when it comes to the 2021 NFL Draft. And while the Bears have a long ways to fall if they want to land a premier slot to take a potential game-changing quarterback, a five-game losing streak has put us on that path.
With their loss to the Packers on Sunday Night Football, Tankathon has the Bears positioned to pick 14th in the 2021 NFL Draft. Perhaps that pick could bump up to 13th if the Bears win strength of schedule or head-to-head tiebreakers. It’s nothing special, but we’re talking a two-slot bump from where Chicago was entering Sunday’s battle. In other words, it’s not nothing.
Had they won, the Bears would’ve been 6-5 and just one game out from a playoff spot, trailing Arizona for the seventh seed after its loss at New England. Imagine having that conversation this morning instead of the one we’re having now. Ah, well, nevertheless. To the victors, go the spoils. And to the losers, go whatever this feeling is in the pit of my stomach.
Tankathon’s mock draft has the Bears taking Texas offensive tackle Samuel Cosmi with the pick. In this mock, quarterbacks go off the board with the first, second, eighth, and twelfth picks. Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields appear well out of reach. As does fast-riser Zach Wilson. But Trey Lance falling to No. 12 shows how close (and yet, so far) the Bears are to being in a spot to where it’s realistic to draft one of the top tier quarterbacks without trading future considerations to move up.
But for what it’s worth, this mock has the Bears selecting Alabama quarterback Mac Jones with the 45th overall pick. And to put finishing touches on a three-round mock, Tankathon sends Wake Forrest receiver Sage Surratt to Chicago. Hey now, addressing three key positions on offense would be nice!
To be clear, quarterback isn’t the only problem spot on the Bears’ roster. It’s just the one that has been the most painful, especially since we’ve seen other franchises figure it out in recent years.
