It’s shaping up to be an exciting offseason for the Bears, who have the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL draft, a projected $118 million in salary cap space and their franchise quarterback in Justin Fields.
The NFL draft is shaping up to be an important one, as Chicago is expected to trade back from first overall for a draft haul. And they’ll have no shortage of suitors. GM Ryan Poles stressed the importance of building through the draft, where they’re currently slated to have eight draft picks (and that’s expected to grow).
While Chicago doesn’t have their own second-round pick — they traded it to the Steelers for receiver Chase Claypool — they did receiver a second-round pick from the Ravens in exchange for Roquan Smith.
With Baltimore losing to the Bengals in the wild-card round on Sunday and the Buccaneers losing to the Cowboys on Monday, that second-round pick is officially the 53rd overall selection (after the Dolphins’ forfeited first-round pick).
Chicago also got a fifth-round selection from the Ravens. While it’s been confirmed that Chicago will be receiving Baltimore’s second-round selection, it’s unknown whether the Bears have the Ravens or Patriots’ fifth-round pick. If it’s New England’s, it would be pick 148. If it’s Baltimore’s, it’s pick 157.
