Chris Conte’s Injury Shouldn’t Change Bears Draft Plans

Dec 1, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) rushes for 21 yards as Chicago Bears safety Chris Conte (47) tackles him in overtime at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. Vikings win 23-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

My first reaction when I heard about Chris Conte’s offseason shoulder surgery was which missed tackle caused his injury or that maybe it was whiplash from watching Randall Cobb zip past him in the season-killing play against the Packers in the season finale.   But I digress.

Conte knows it’s going to be a long road back and nothing is guaranteed coming back:

"“I know I’m going to have to compete for my position on this team,” Conte said. “I am prepared to do that and felt having this surgery was the best way to be 100 percent healthy and be the best player I can possibly be.”"

We’re a fickle bunch Bears fans.  Through the end of last season and into the offseason, all I’ve heard is that Conte needs to go and blaming Conte for the Bears’ defensive demised.  Yet now, when we find out he needs offseason surgery, I see a bunch of quotes and posts that the Bears definitely have to draft a safety in the first round now.  Why, because a safety who everyone wanted to run out of town is going to be out 4-5 months this offseason?  Did you really think the Bears were planning to go into 2014 with Conte as the sole answer at safety?  It’s not like this is Mike Brown in his prime going down with an injury and the Bears must plug an immediate hole.