Top 30 Bears for 2023: Defensive leader, a much-needed playmaker, and a franchise QB

Brad Rempel - USA Today Sports

by Dustin Riese - Senior Writer - Wed Jul 19 09:31:05 GMT-04:00 2023

At long last, we have reached the end of our top 30 of the 2023 series, as today is all about the cream of the crop. These are the top three players on the roster expected to make the biggest impacts this season, and they will look to make play after play.

Granted, it takes an entire 53-man roster for an NFL team to succeed, but certain players mean more to a team than others. These three that we will discuss not only mean more than others but are ready to should the load and the pressure that comes with it. Two of these men go hand in hand together, while the other will be looked at as one of the, if not the leader on the defensive side of the ball.

3. Tremaine Edmunds

Any time you become one of the most expensive LB in the NFL, you will be expected to produce, which is what the Bears expect from Edmunds. After a stellar beginning to his NFL career with the Buffalo Bills, Edmunds hit the free agent market this winter and was the first signing from Ryan Poles and his staff.

Also, the Bears invested a ton of money into him as they have him for the next five years and close to 100 million dollars. That leaves him as one of the highest-paid LBs in the NFL, and with that comes the pressure of living up to those expectations. Edmunds is not only ready for those expectations, but he loves being a Bear and hasn't even played a game yet.

Chicago has a rich history of incredible LBs that dates back to the Mike Singletary days and spans into Brian Urlacher. You have even had the most recent Roquan Smith into the mix, as Edmunds hopes to cement himself in that list soon. Edumunds will not only be the leader on defense but will also serve as the QB to ensure everyone is on the same page. The defense fails when he fails, but don't expect that to happen often, as the Bears got a great player in him.

2. DJ Moore

Any time you trade the No. 1 pick in the draft for a player and a later pick, that player better be something special. If what the Bears have seen from DJ Moore thus far indicates what is to come, the Bears not only got a great player but could have the best WR in franchise history before too long.

Granted, the Bears haven't had much WR success, but Moore has all the tools to be a legitimate No. 1 option this season and for years to come, as he is still only 26 years old and coming into the prime of his career. Looking back at what he did with the Carolina Panthers, the 6-0 209-pound Moore has shown plenty of potential, leading fans to believe he is about to be unleashed.

Across five seasons with the Panthers, Moore has surpassed 5000 career yards and is sitting at 5206 yards so far. That includes his 1157-yard season last year, which he accomplished with several different starting QBs. Moore won't have to worry about that in Chicago, as the Bears have their man in Justin Fields.

Now it becomes a case of getting the chemistry where it needs to be to have everyone on the same page. Moore and Fields have shown that chemistry all offseason long, and it makes for some excitement in the passing game for this season.

1. Justin Fields

As expected, and without question, the most important player to the Bears this season will be Justin Fields. Despite the team posting their worst record in franchise history a season ago, Fields showed significant improvements in his game, but now it is time to take those improvements to the next level.

Even though Fields was battered last season to the point where he missed several games, he still managed to lead the team in rushing with more than 100 yards and set an NFL record for rushing yards by a QB. That is fine and dandy, as that will always be a massive part of his game, but for the Bears to be taken seriously, the passing numbers must improve.

Although it may not look like it, Fields was a better passer last season, but he didn't do it consistently enough to garner attention. With the addition of Moore, the return of Darnell Mooney, and the potential breakthrough of Chase Claypool, Fields has more weapons at his disposal than at any point in his NFL career.

For the Bears to feel confident enough in Fields to be their franchise QB, this is a massive season for him, as it will all come down to his passing numbers. Look for him to continue running the ball a ton, but less than last season, as Fields will try to put this team on his back in 2023 to get the job done.