247 Sports

● By Andrew Freeman
As the Chicago Bears enter week 10 with a 2-7 record and little hope in a lost season, many fans are already starting to look ahead to next year's draft, which could prove to be a fruitful one for the Navy and Orange. The 2024 NFL Draft is set to be loaded, with high-end talent at multiple key positions to go along with sufficient depth across the board. As we look at the landscape of the draft midseason, some of the strong points include a loaded quarterback class, multiple blue-chip offensive tackle prospects, and another crop of talented receivers. With the Bears having two first-round picks, the opportunity to turn around a decade of misfortunes is ahead of them with the right picks. While there is a lot of time between now and the offseason, many of the team's needs have begun to shape up. For one, the defensive line is still among the worst in the NFL with a pass rush that doesn't have any bite despite improvements in run defense. Even with the addition of Montez Sweat, the Bears will need to add more talent upfront on the defensive side of the ball. Wide receiver will also be a need, as the only impact player under contract next season is D.J. Moore. Most important, however, is the need at the quarterback position. Simply put, Justin Fields has not taken the necessary steps forward in year three to be the team's franchise quarterback, and with potentially a new head coach in the building, next offseason will be a good time to reset at the position.