Thursday, October 19, 2023

Chicago Bears Week 7 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2023 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Below you will find a Week 7 roundup for the Chicago Bears in our consensus 2023 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 29

Lesson learned: The 2024 QB picture is becoming clear.

Justin Fields looked better in Weeks 4 and 5, having completed 43 of 64 passes for eight touchdowns and an interception against the Broncos and Commanders. Fields struggled against Minnesota's ferocious blitz before exiting the game with a dislocated thumb. Unfortunately, those two previous performances for Fields look like a byproduct of playing two bad defenses when the circumstances around him on offense were close to perfect. Depending on how long Fields might be sidelined, the 25-year-old quarterback might not have enough time to prove he's Chicago's long-term answer given the team's 6-25 record over three seasons with him as a starter. As it stands, the Bears currently own the No. 1 pick in 2024 thanks to Carolina's winless start. General manager Ryan Poles might have no choice but to take one of the top quarterbacks of the 2024 class based on how this season is playing out. -- Courtney Cronin

NFL.com -- Rank: 30

One year ago, Tyson Bagent was preparing for the West Chester Golden Rams, as the quarterback for Division II Shepherd University. This week, with Justin Fields (right thumb) doubtful to play, he'll be studying how to find holes in a Raiders defense that has shut down the opposition the past couple games. In his NFL debut, taking over for an injured Fields, Bagent had some highlights, completing seven straight passes at one point and leading a clutch TD drive, sneaking it in himself from a yard out. But he also was strip-sacked on his third snap and had a bad underthrow on a pass that was picked. With Fields potentially out for a spell, it could be Bagent time in Chicago. He wasn't drafted, but Bagent was far from the worst QB at the Reese's Senior Bowl earlier this year, with his current offensive coordinator (Luke Getsy) as one of the game's coaches. Bagent is no Fields athletically, but he can move pretty well and spins a nice ball. There will be rough moments, for sure, but something tells me he has something interesting to offer.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 27

The Justin Fields injury is a concern, but they didn't play well against the Vikings. Is it time to start thinking about next year?

USA Today -- Rank: 29

Two steps forward, one step back for QB Justin Fields, whose dislocated thumb threatens to send this squad back into hibernation.

The Athletic -- Rank: 29

Justin Fields dislocated his thumb against the Vikings, and head coach Matt Eberflus called him "doubtful" for Sunday's game. Chicago fans are probably torn about the length of Fields' recovery process. After he was replaced by rookie Tyson Bagent on Sunday, Bagent went 10-for-14 for 83 yards. Whatever optimism Chicago had after beating the Commanders two weeks ago is long gone. Losses to the Packers, Bucs and Broncos have aged poorly.

FOX -- Rank: 30

Justin Fields was struggling badly against Minnesota when he got hurt, but it's still terrible news if Chicago is without him for a lengthy period of time. On top of giving the Bears a better chance to win, Fields also needs to play as many games as possible so the front office can evaluate whether he's their franchise guy.

Yahoo! -- Rank: 29

There has been a strange excitement in Chicago for undrafted rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent ever since the preseason. It looks like he'll get his chance to start with Justin Fields healing from a dislocated thumb. The reality is Bagent is probably going to help only the Bears' 2024 draft position, which isn't the worst outcome.

PFT -- Rank: 27

Falling to 1-5 isn't the best way to honor No. 51.

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