The 2023 draft is long over by now. However, it’s clear the shadow of that evening in April will follow the Chicago Bears for the next few years. Many fans still question the team’s decision to pass on star Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter. GM Ryan Poles swung a deal with the Philadelphia Eagles to move down from #9 to #10, allowing the NFC champions to get Carter instead. The Bears opted for athletic right tackle Darnell Wright, feeling his physical traits and dominant showing in the SEC were exactly what their offensive line needed.
Poles was asked why the team chose to pass on Carter. It was unusual, considering how obvious a fit he was for head coach Matt Eberflus’ defense. The Tampa-2 required a dominant interior pass rusher to reach its full potential. Carter felt like a natural choice. Poles didn’t beat around the bush. He outright stated why the Bears passed. “Character will always be important to us.” He didn’t single out Carter by name, but the implication was obvious. The Bears were not comfortable with what they’d heard about the defensive tackle. A new in-depth ESPN article from Tim McManus shed light on the situation.
Suffice it to say, nobody should be surprised the Bears passed.
Multiple Georgia coaches declined to go to bat for Carter during the pre-draft process, according to sources familiar with the conversations, in part because they had grown disenchanted with his practice habits and attitude. His behavior as a teammate came into question as well, notably after he struck then-Georgia linebacker Quay Walker in the face during a fall practice in 2020. It was described by sources familiar with the pre-draft process as a “knockout punch.”…
…Carter was driving with a suspended license at the time, stemming from a prior speeding ticket in Lake County, Florida, that had not been resolved. Carter was not charged with driving with a suspended license and cannot retroactively be charged now that the case is closed, Carter’s attorney Kim Stephens said. According to Athens Solicitor General Will Fleenor, officials ran Carter’s license through a national database in March when the file against him was opened, but it did not show his license was suspended in Florida, likely because the issue had been resolved by then. His license was reinstated Jan. 26 — 11 days after the incident — following payment of $150.50, according to documents reviewed by ESPN.
The database did show his driving privileges in Georgia were suspended effective Feb. 10 — nearly a month after the incident — as a result of a separate driving infraction, Fleenor said.
Jalen Carter is a powder keg.
Yes, there is no denying his talent is freakish. He was unblockable in many situations at Georgia. However, it’s evident from this story that the man is volatile. His history is overrun with bad decision-making and bad work habits. It could be a maturity issue. Then again, it could also be who he is. Poles wasn’t going to risk his first-ever 1st round pick on a player with that many red flags. Eagles GM Howie Roseman was in a far more secure position to do so. His team had just come four points away from winning the Super Bowl a few months prior.
Time will tell whether Jalen Carter lives up to his potential. However, the fact is the Bears made a sound and reasonable judgment in choosing to pass. Try to imagine if Carter ends up a bust. Critics would’ve railroaded Poles for taking such a reckless risk. He did the only thing he could. He let somebody else take it, using the acquisition of Wright as a justifiable excuse since his quarterback was sacked 55 times last year. People will debate this decision until it’s clear whether Carter becomes great but don’t expect Poles to regret his decision.
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