With what the Chicago Bears are doing with the first overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft being the worst-kept secret in the NFL, the focus for the team has shifted to what they will do with the ninth overall selection.
The more that the Bears talk about the possibilities they have with the ninth pick in the draft, the more it seems that the team will indeed be making a selection instead of trading down.
In an interesting wrinkle, Ryan Poles revealed that the Bears will conduct meetings in the coming weeks where the team's front office and scouting staff will be separated into three groups--a group advocating for the Bears to select a wide receiver, a group advocating for the team to take an offensive lineman, and a group advocating for the team to take an edge rusher--as a way to debate the direction that team goes in with the ninth overall selection
It would seem that Matt Eberflus may fall into the group that wants the Bears to address their need for a pass rusher. Larry Mayer of the Bears' official website revealed that Eberflus wants the team to add a second defensive end in order to complement Montez Sweat.
Defensive end may be the priority for Matt Eberflus as the Chicago Bears prepare for the 2024 NFL Draft.
There is no question that defensive end may be the largest need that the team has remaining.
The selection of Caleb Williams with the first overall pick will address the team's need for a quarterback. The trade for Keenan Allen addressed the team's need for a second wide receiver. And, the team has a capable starting left tackle in Braxton Jones. In terms of what position must be improved before the start of the 2024 season, it's the defensive end position. That could be the deciding factor once the Bears are on the clock for the second time in the first round during the upcoming draft.