Chicago Bears secure the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft

While some teams were fighting for playoff spots in the final week of the regular season, there was another exciting storyline as the number one pick in the 2023 NFL Draft was still up for grabs.

Entering the final week, if the Houston Texans were to lose to the Indianapolis Colts they would have the first overall pick. However, if the Texans somehow won and the Chicago Bears were to lose to the Minnesota Vikings then it would be Chicago that would have that top pick.

In the end, the Bears would lose to the Vikings by a final score of 29-13 and it was up to the Texans. In what would be Lovie Smith’s final game as head coach of the Texans, as he was fired after the game, he would help get his team a 17-7 lead at halftime.

However, the Colts would score 17 straight points in the second half and took a 31-27 lead late in the fourth quarter. It seemed like the first pick was heading to Houston until Davis Mills connected with Jordan Akins in the final minute and instead of settling for the tie, they went for two and converted the conversion.

Chicago Bears have first pick in NFL Draft since 1947

This is a bit of uncharted territory for the Chicago Bears as they will pick first for only the third time in franchise history and the first time since 1947. However, it is far from being a guarantee that the Bears will actually make that pick as they seemingly have their quarterback of the future in Justin Fields.

In a year with quarterbacks like Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud at the top of the draft class, there will be a number of quarterback-needy teams that will want to call Chicago for the chance to move up to select one of those two.