It seems like the Chicago Bears can’t go a day or two without creating headlines for the wrong reasons.
If it’s not Teven Jenkins absence from practice, it’s N’Keal Harry’s ankle injury. On Tuesday, the Monsters of the Midway were dealt their biggest blow yet: a trade request from defensive cornerstone Roquan Smith.
There’s no understating how much this sets back the Bears in their rebuild. Smith has been as productive a linebacker as Chicago could’ve hoped for when it drafted him No. 8 overall in 2018. Through the first 61 games of what’s turning into a brilliant career, the Georgia product has recorded 524 tackles, 14 sacks, 17 deflections, five interceptions and scored one touchdown with a forced fumble and fumble recovery on his resume.
He was on his way to joining a list of Bears linebacker legends like Brian Urlacher, Dick Butkus and Mike Singletary. Now he can’t get out of town fast enough.
#Bears All-Pro LB Roquan Smith has requested a trade. pic.twitter.com/x4vmOMhROt
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 9, 2022
The Bears apparently didn’t see the value in keeping a player like that well-payed and satisfied. That’s their loss. The rest of us can capitalize and what should be an absolutely abysmal football season in Chicago and at least turn misery into profits.
With Smith likely out of the picture, here are the best bets you can make as the Bears prepare to fight for the top pick in 2023.
All odds via Tipico
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Under 6.5 wins (-150)
The Bears should win a few games this season, but it’s hard to find any sure things on their schedule. Week 1 at home against San Francisco could be a blowout for the 49ers. A trip to Green Bay in Week 2 won’t be any prettier. And Week 3 against a similarly tanking Houston team should have everyone betting on the point total under—no matter where the line is set.
Chicago also gets to face the Jets, Dolphins, Commanders and Giants this season, but those look like toss-ups at best. It’s hard to find seven convincing wins on this schedule.
NFC Division North Finishing Position
Ok, there are two options here, both worth taking.
The Bears are +210 to finish third in the division and -115 to finish fourth. Last place in this NFC North seems like the right call. However, you have to leave room for two possibilities:
- Justin Fields could get better as the season progresses and actually add some life to a putrid offense (9th-worst in the NFL last season and with even fewer pieces this year).
- The Lions could remember they are the Lions and finish last on principle alone.
Worst Regular Season Record (+1000)
I’m not convinced the Bears will have the worst record in the NFL this year. Not when the Texans, Jaguars, Jets and Falcons are already actively rebuilding.
But I do love the value of taking them +1000 and I fear that’s only going to get smaller as the year goes on. This is worth a sprinkle if for no other reason than it will go away soon and no one knows just what the floor on this Chicago team is—especially with a new coaching staff and front office in place.
I’m not confident here, but the FOMO has led me to believe I’d be more willing to take a loss on a small unit than miss out on a win.
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