The Chicago Bears accomplished a rare feat on Sunday, winning twice as they defeated the Atlanta Falcons and simultaneously clinched the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft due to the Carolina Panthers’ loss. In a turn of events, the Bears’ victory and strategic draft positioning unfolded with the Panthers’ struggles and the Cardinals’ surprise win against the Philadelphia Eagles.
With the Panthers’ defeat and the Cardinals’ triumph, Chicago secures the dubious honor of having the worst record in the NFL. This achievement is magnified by the fact that the Panthers’ 2024 No. 1 draft pick, obtained in last year’s deal involving Bryce Young, now belongs to the Bears, elevating them to the top spot in the draft order.
The current top 10 picks in the NFL Draft are as follows:
- Chicago Bears (via Carolina Panthers)
- Washington Commanders
- New England Patriots
- Arizona Cardinals
- New York Giants
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Tennessee Titans
- New York Jets
- Atlanta Falcons
- Chicago Bears
Further down the draft order, a statistical dead heat exists between the Washington Commanders and the New England Patriots, both with 4-12 records. The upcoming week’s games will determine their final standings, as Washington faces the Cowboys, and New England takes on the Jets. The Cardinals’ win has momentarily dropped them from the No. 2 spot to fourth.
Looking ahead, the Giants and Titans, both at 5-11, have a slight edge for draft position, with the Giants benefiting from a stronger strength-of-schedule rating. The Chargers, with five wins pending their game against Denver, are also in contention. The Jets (6-11) currently hold the No. 8 spot, while the Falcons, Bears, and Raiders find themselves in a statistical and strength-of-schedule deadlock at 7-9.
Nate Tice of Yahoo Sports projects that the Bears will use their No. 1 pick to select North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye, potentially moving on from Justin Fields. Tice describes Maye as the “complete package at quarterback,” possessing the necessary skills for elite modern QB play.
With the No. 1 pick secured, the Bears can begin planning for the upcoming draft, prompting fans to dream about the possibilities that lie ahead.
