BEARS BOOST ODDS AT NO. 1 PICK WITH WIN
The Chicago Bears are facing a win-win scenario.
Beat the Carolina Panthers and they boost their chances at the No. 1 overall pick in the draft.
It’s an unusual spot to be in, yet that’s where the Bears find themselves heading into their matchup at Soldier Field tonight. If they come out on top, it would be a win on two fronts.
That’s because Chicago (2-7) owns Carolina’s firstround draft pick next year.
“I’m just trying to get to 3-7,” Bears guard Teven Jenkins said.
“That’s the only thing I’m worried about, sir.”
The Bears had the No. 1 pick in the draft last spring after finishing with the league’s worst record.
They traded it to Carolina for receiver DJ Moore.
Chicago is in the running for the top spot with its own first-round pick. But another route at the moment is through Carolina (1-7).
Only Arizona (1-8) has a worse record.
Both teams have more immediate concerns. And for both, they involve the quarterback spot.
Rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent will make his fourth consecutive start for the Bears, as Justin Fields continues to recover from the dislocated right thumb he suffered in Week 6.
Fields, who returned to practice Friday, has remained limited in on-field work this week and officially was listed as doubtful for the Week 10 game at Soldier Field on Wednesday’s injury report.
“He’s not medically cleared to go right now,” Bears coach Matt Eberflus said after practice Wednesday.
“He’s getting better, though. His accuracy is improving. He’s throwing it better. He’s starting to do more and more and more. We’ll see where it goes.”
Eberflus said Fields likely would have been on track to play this week if the Bears
Today:
5:15 p.m., Soldier Field, Chicago Bears by 3 Prime Video
Line: Streaming:
had a Sunday game. But the quick turnaround to play today shortened the window to make a decision.
“Short weeks are hard,” Eberflus said.
Fields hasn’t played since dislocating his right thumb during a Week 6 loss to Minnesota.
The Bears are 1-2 with Bagent — an undrafted rookie from Division II Shepherd University in West Virginia — as their starter after losing last week at New Orleans.
For Carolina, rookie Bryce Young looks to rebound from his worst game as a pro in last week’s loss to Indianapolis.
Young threw three interceptions — two of which were returned for touchdowns by Colts cornerback Kenny Moore — against the league’s 32nd-ranked defense.
Despite Young’s struggles, Panthers coach Frank Reich said he is sticking with him as the starter.
“I’ve seen this happen to the best quarterbacks in the history of the game,” Reich said.
“They all have games like this. Sure, it’s easy to put it on the quarterback, but you bounce back. That’s what makes the great ones.”
Moore will be facing his former team for the first time since the blockbuster trade in March. The Bears sent the No. 1 pick to Carolina and moved back eight spots in this year’s draft.
Moore could be in for another big game in prime time.
Carolina’s secondary is banged up with Jaycee Horn (hamstring/IR) and C.J. Henderson (concussion) out this week.