Ryan Poles revitalizes Chicago Bears roster in this early 2023 mock draft

Speaking of linebackers, that’s just where the Bears decide to go in the fifth round with Cincinnati’s Deshawn Pace.

At the moment, the Bears are set to see all three of their starting linebackers hit the free agent market in 2023. Roquan Smith, of course, is hoping for an extension after a dramatic summer saw him demand a trade and ultimately decide to play out the final year of his contract after negotiations came to a stall.

Nicholas Morrow and Matthew Adams both signed 1-year deals, though, and the Bears are far from committed to their future in Chicago. Best-case scenario, the Bears get Smith back, and what happens at the other two spots becomes less important.

Still, they are going to need fresh talent at the linebacker position in 2023, and Pace could come in and compete for a starting job. The Cincinnati product is reminiscent of a former Bears great, Brian Urlacher, who played with the size and skill set of a safety but lined up in the middle.

Pace is 6-foot-2 and nearly 220 pounds, but has the speed and downhill mentality of a box safety. His movement skills are absolutely that of a safety and an NFL development at middle linebacker could lead him to a fruitful career as a pro.