The Last 1st Round Character Risk Worked Out Well For Chicago Bears

One common misconception about the NFL is that all the best players have flawless character traits. They’re good people who never make mistakes. The truth is far different. Many of the best players in the league arrived with serious questions about their personality or work ethic. Marcus Peters was kicked off the Washington team for clashing with his coaches and violating team rules. He went 18th overall and is now a three-time Pro Bowler. Star Cowboys pass rusher Demarcus Lawrence was suspended three times in college. Contrary to popular myth, taking gambles on character risks doesn’t always fail. The Chicago Bears know this like any other team.

After all, the last time they took one on a 1st round pick, it worked out really well for them. It was a surprise when the Bears selected Oregon offensive lineman Kyle Long at 20th overall in 2013. Nobody denied the son of Hall of Famer Howie Long was a physical specimen with huge upside, but they had serious concerns about his erratic personality. Long had been kicked out of Florida State after getting a DUI. However, after speaking with him, his teammates, coaches, and family members, the organization felt the risk was worth it.

Long ended up going to three Pro Bowls.

The Chicago Bears may not fear drafting Jalen Carter.

One must not forget who is in charge. Ryan Poles was on that Kansas City Chiefs team that drafted Peters in 2015. He learned a valuable lesson about the necessity sometimes to take a calculated gamble on players with maturity concerns if the talent is worth it. Several members of the Bears organization were there when the Long pick was made. So this front office and scouting department may not shy away from the Carter situation like other teams might. It’s all about weighing the pros and cons.

Yes, the concerns are valid. Carter suffers from questions about his work ethic and made a very dumb decision by street racing in January. That said, many teammates and coaches swear by his personality. He’s a fantastic locker room presence and plays hard. That is reflected in his tape. The Chicago Bears must decide if he can get past the maturity issues and embrace the necessity of practice. Based on recent rumors, they feel confident in those odds. After years of drafting choir boys in the 1st round, maybe it’s time the organization threw a curveball.