ESPN analyst declares Bears most-improved team in NFL draft
The Chicago Bears have emerged from draft weekend as one of the NFL’s biggest winners. The same could be said for how the Bears dominated in the free agency period back in March. However, what Bears GM Ryan Poles was able to accomplish with the team’s 2023 draft class caught the eye of one of […]
The Chicago Bears have emerged from draft weekend as one of the NFL’s biggest winners. The same could be said for how the Bears dominated in the free agency period back in March. However, what Bears GM Ryan Poles was able to accomplish with the team’s 2023 draft class caught the eye of one of ESPN’s top analysts.
The Bears were able to add talent on the offensive and defensive line early on in the draft. While they beefed up in the trenches, Chicago also addressed needs in the secondary and at skill positions on offense.
ESPN’s Marcus Spears noticed a common trend in the Bears draft class. Each player selected seemed to embody the hard-nosed, win at all costs approach employed by head coach Matt Eberflus.
"As I dove through the picks, I really really liked what they did, especially at the line of scrimmage with their first pick in Darnell Wright, an offensive tackle out of Tennessee. A big, physical, grinder," Spears said. "Kinda the same mindset as Matt Eberflus, the head coach for the Chicago Bears, likes to play with."
The key to the 2023 season will be Bears QB Justin Fields. He will be tasked with raising the level of play on the offensive side of the ball while the defense has to prove capable of defending in the run game.
Poles made sure to leave no stone unturned in finding ways to make those things happen.
"Obviously, getting some help for Justin Fields in protection and also a run game I'm sure they want to continue to establish," Spears added. "On the defensive side, not only some big fellas who can push the pocket but can defend the run in a division where you're gonna have to do both."
Overall, Chicago has undergone a complete facelift this offseason under the guidance of Poles and Eberflus. Though it could take time for these new additions to mesh together, the Bears finally have a roster that looks the part of an NFC North contender.
