Looking at 3 realistic needs amidst Justin Fields’ breakout for the Chicago Bears

1. Defensive line is the number one need for the Chicago Bears

This past offseason, the Bears had to figure out how to put a defense together in the midst of a rebuild, knowing darn well that they were going to try and move on from both Roquan Smith and Robert Quinn after already parting with Khalil Mack, among other aging veterans.

This is a unit that, when put together correctly, will be predicated on generating a pass rush with their front four. While the Bears have some decent pieces up front in Dominique Robinson, Trevis Gipson, Al-Quadin Muhammad and Justin Jones, the fact of the matter is, they have not gotten the job done.

Robinson and Gipson look to have a bright future as pass rushers, but the unit as a whole has only generated 13 sacks on the year and are giving up the 3rd-most rushing yards per game through this point in the season. They have not been good, period.

With a whole lot of cap space next year, along with draft capital, the Bears will need to address their defensive line first and foremost. This is where you win the game defensively. Look at the best defenses in the game today, and most of them will have formidable fronts that can both rush the passer and stop the run. Chicago needs to focus on this area, specifically, before any other spot on their roster.

With so much defensive talent in the upcoming first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Bears could find themselves in a spot to take a prospect like either one of the top-tier Clemson big men: Myles Murphy or Bryan Bresee. They could also luck out and snag Georgia’s Jalen Carter. Even LSU’s BJ Ojulari is a top-10 pick in the making and could fall in their lap.

The draft should have four defensive linemen taken in the top 10 or 12 picks, and that’s where the Bears should be focused.