Why the Bears Passed on Jalen Carter for Darnell Wright: A Hint in Plain Sight
Bears GM Ryan Poles had a pivotal moment in the 2023 NFL Draft, as he faced a decision that could define his tenure with the team. As the draft unfolded, Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter began to slide due to character red flags. With Carter still available at No. 9, it seemed like a no-brainer that the Bears would pick him up.
However, Poles surprised many by trading the No. 9 pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for the No. 10 pick and a 2024 fourth-round pick, allowing the Eagles to draft Carter. The Bears then selected Tennessee offensive tackle Darnell Wright at No. 10.
At his post-1st round press conference, Poles was asked about passing on Carter, but chose not to discuss him specifically. However, he did make a comment that hinted at why the Bears passed on him.
It seems that Carter's lack of mental toughness was the deciding factor for the Bears. In March, Carter showed up at his pro day weighing 323 pounds, nine more than he weighed at the combine. After running out of gas during drills, he abruptly quit.
In contrast, the Bears saw Wright battle through his workout with mental toughness. Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus have emphasized that they prioritize players who are big, strong, tough, explosive, and athletic. While Carter checked those boxes, he lacked the intangibles that show who a player is when the going gets tough.
It remains to be seen how Carter's career will pan out, but the Bears are confident that they made the right decision in passing on him for Wright.
As seen at: Bears Dropped Not-So-Subtle Hint Why They Passed On Jalen Carter
| POLL | ||
28 AVRIL | 396 ANSWERS Why the Bears Passed on Jalen Carter for Darnell Wright: A Hint in Plain Sight Will Ryan Poles regret not drafting Jalen Carter? | ||
| Yes | 63 | 15.9 % |
| No | 333 | 84.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
