3 Chicago Bears who are on the hot seat after 2023 NFL Draft
By Josh De Luca
The Chicago Bears entered the 2023 draft with needs at a variety of positions. The Bears ended up selecting 10 players, six of them on the final day of the draft. Aside from adding a much-needed pass rusher, the Bears looked to have built quality depth throughout the rest of the roster.
With a new wave of young talent entering the windy city, what previous players should be worried about their job security? Here are 3 Chicago Bears players that are now on the hot seat after the NFL draft (and UDFA period).
Chicago Bears who are on the hot seat after 2023 NFL Draft: CB Kindle Vildor
Before the draft this past weekend, hype around bolstering the trenches was all anybody was talking about. Drafting players to fill out the secondary was hardly a topic of conversation. Many people would have said the secondary was the most promising position group on the entire roster pre-draft.
Despite all of the noise, Ryan Poles had other plans. Out the 10 draft picks the Bears used, 3 of them were used on new additions to the secondary, with two of those being additions to the cornerback room. Tyrique Stevenson was the first of the defensive backs selected. A long, athletic, and gritty player out of the University of Miami, Stevenson had Chicago Bears written all over him. Ryan Poles was clearly fond of Stevenson’s long frame and physical game, as he parted with draft capital to trade up and select Stevenson with the 56th pick in the second round. He is viewed as an instant plug and play starter for this Matt Eberflus defense.
Ryan Poles wasn’t done adding cornerback talent though, selecting University of Minnesota playmaker Terell Smith in the 5th round. Smith fits the long, fast, and physical mold that Bears look for in their players. Smith will likely start off his Bears career as a special teams’ ace, but with a whole offseason ahead of him, there’s no saying that he won’t work his way into the rotation come September.
Kindle Vildor has arguably been on the hot seat for several seasons now, as inconsistent play and nagging injuries have flexed him in and out of the lineup. It wouldn’t be shocking to see the two young playmakers take Vildor’s job this summer. However, with Vildor being the veteran, it is naturally going to be his job to lose.