Chicago Bears Pro Football Hall of Fame watch

Young players who could develop into Hall of Famers 

Justin Fields, QB: Only two seasons into his NFL career, the 24-year-old has shown flashes of brilliance, but he's far from a finished product. Fields must improve, but his raw talent could put him on a Hall of Fame path. 

As a passer, Fields finished with the fifth-worst Pro Football Focus grade (54.4) in 2022; however, Fields (91.5) trailed only Lamar Jackson (92.6) and Josh Allen (92.8) as a rusher. In 2022, Fields broke Michael Vick's single-game rushing record (178 yards) and came close to topping Jackson's season mark (1,206), posting 1,143 yards. He could make his first significant leap toward Canton in 2023, especially with an improved offensive line and some added weaponry at running back and receiver. 

Tremaine Edmunds, LB: The two-time Pro Bowler joined the Bears in free agency after five seasons with the Buffalo Bills, signing a four-year, $72M contract. Eager to live up to the Bears' "tradition" of having standout linebackers, Edmunds' career could take off in Chicago. 

In 2022, the 25-year-old recorded his fifth straight season of 100-plus tackles and was graded the fifth-best linebacker by PFF, trailing only Demario Davis (82.7), Lavonte David (85.1), Fred Warner (85.7) and Bobby Wagner (90.7). Edmunds is tremendously consistent, which over a long period could make his Canton bid more palatable. 

Darnell Wright, Tackle: The expectations to contribute immediately are heavy on Wright, selected 10th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. However, the 6-foot-6, 335-pound Wright seemingly has all the makings of an elite tackle. 

The 21-year-old opened OTAs in May as the Bears starting right tackle months before his first NFL game. Wright aims to be a building block alongside the rest of Chicago's young core, and he's already showing supreme confidence, believing he'll be an "automatic" first-ballot Hall of Famer.