FINALLY!!! Someone in Halas Hall, the Chicago Bears headquarters, gets it. The Bears are being criticized for which they are an easy target most of the times, for not drafting defensive lineman stud Jalen Carter at number 9 out of the University of Georgia. The Bears traded the number 9 pick to the Eagles for a 4th round pick in 2024, and the teams exchanged spots in the draft where the Eagles moved up one spot while the Bears took their 10th spot. The Bears originally had the number one pick with which they made a deal with the Panthers for veteran receiver DJ Moore and more draft capital. They also flip flopped spots in the draft where the Bears took the number 9 pick while Carolina got the first pick in the draft. Many think the Eagles who lost key players in free agency fixed their defense by picking up Carter. Bears addressed their defense in free agency. The Bears have been desperately in need of protecting the quarterback. In past Bears regimes, the brain trust would address protection with guys from the later rounds like the 6th and 7th taking on projects in hoping they developed into NFL players and would be serviceable. Ryan Poles, the new sheriff in town, knows if Justin Fields is going to be the quarterback they need to keep him upright. The Bears took a 4-year starter out of Tennessee University, Darnell Wright, which is not the sexy pick, but a big time NEED for this organization who has not had a franchise quarterback since the 1940’s.

This number one pick is much different than other picks this organization has had over the last several years. Like when the Bears tried to land their franchise quarterback and picked Mitch Trubisky, who came out of college with only one year being the starter. Darnell Wright has played all 4 seasons with the Volunteers with which he started 42 out of the 47 games he played defending the trenches. Wright is a massive specimen and he stands at 6’6″ weighting 330 and has blazing speed for a big man. Wright is only 21 years old and last year he played right tackle for the University of Tennessee like the Berlin Wall, as no defenders enter the premises. Wright did not allow a sack last season and only allowed 8 total pressures by defenders. University of Tennessee is not playing cream puffs in the SEC as Wright went up against the Alabama’s and the Georgia’s. In 13 games last season, Wright was first team All-SEC selection. The Bears had some insight on how Wright played as offensive coordinator Luke Getsy coached the senior bowl and got to see this guy’s game preparation and how he handles himself in practices and in game time.

The Bears did a great job with all their money they had available this off-season, bringing in free agents to fix the gaping holes in their roster. Yes, the Philadelphia Eagles know something about defense and I’m sure Jalen Carter will be a stud and get the Eagles back to the playoffs. The Bears addressed their defense with two stud linebackers in Tremaine Edmunds from Buffalo and T.J Edwards, a former Eagle. The Bears added two veteran defensive linemen: Andrew Billings from Vegas and DeMarcus Walkers, a former Bronco. In the second round of the draft the Bears added Gevon Dexter Jr. who has raw talent the Bears are hoping to tap into. The Bears also added a linebacker and a corner in the later rounds. For the offense the Bears added players at the skill positions through free agency. Bears landed two running backs D’onta Foremon a former Panther and Travis Homer a former Seahawk. Bears also picked up a division rivals tight end in Robert Tonyan from the Packers. Bears added a nice back up option to Justin Fields in P.J Walker former Panther. Bears drafted a wide receiver and another running back. Only move the Bears made at their weakest line the offensive link was signing Nate Davis, former Titan. Not enough to keep the defenses throughout the league from murdering your quarterback.

By drafting Darnell Wright, Justin Fields does not have to run for the border on every single play. Fields had some nice 70 yard runs last year, but he looked like he was running for his life being chased by a herd of animals. Wright can play both right and left tackle so he can protect the blindside of Fields. The Bears will give Braxton Jones a chance to win the left tackle job as a rookie last season who played the entire season. Jones, of course a 5th round pick, is the Bears’ way of throwing darts at the offensive line in the past. Jones could be a fixture as the team says he’s working on putting more muscle on his frame during the off-season. With all the moves, we know the defense will improve from last year as the head coach is defensive minded so we will not see the flood gates at the whore house when they appear on the field like last year. Jalen Carter could be the steal of the draft as his stock took a hit involved in a drag race where two people were killed as he fled the scene. I’d rather have Wright, a guy who plays the trenches with a nasty streak. A guy that can control the nasty streak and not hurt the team. Wright is a tone setter which the Bears need on the line. Wright shows grit playing through fatigue injuries which is mental toughness. I want to see if Justin Fields is the answer for years to come behind center for the Bears. I want to see how Fields with protection responds. Fields can throw dimes with his deep ball. What about the short passing games hitting guys on their stride with slants over the middle? How we find out the answer is by giving him the weapons at the skills position, which the Bears did. Now the Bears got their guy to help keep Fields going down the path of Lamar Jackson whose season the last few years has been derailed by injuries running the ball. Now if Carter slips by Wright in some future NFC championships game between the Eagles and Bears, you can say told you so. However it would still be the right choice the Bears made, picking the offensive line over a defensive line.