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Jalen Carter, flexing. As well he should. Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Jalen Carter’s dominance with the Philadelphia Eagles has some Chicago Bears fans furious

Originally posted on Chicago Bears on SI
By Alan Goldsher | Last updated Jan 20, 2025 2:35 PM ET

Yesterday, in the Philadelphia Eagles’ thrilling 28-22 victory over the Los Angeles Rams, defensive tackle Jalen Carter was a straight-up, inarguable, unmitigated beast.

The sophomore phenom tallied five tackles and two sacks, while playing a key role in making Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford look human, helping hold the future Hall of Famer to 26-of-44 passing and a mere 47.8 QB rating.

For Bears fans, though, this performance brought back one familiar question: What if Chicago had drafted Jalen Carter instead?

The Decision That Haunts Bears Nation

On Draft Night, 2023, Chicago’s GM Ryan Poles swapped the Bears’ first-round pick (#9) for Philly’s (#10). The Eagles used the 9th pick to snag Carter, the game-wrecking defensive tackle now anchoring one of the NFL’s top defenses.

Meanwhile, the Bears used the 10th pick to draft offensive tackle Darnell Wright.

Wright has been a solid contributor for Chicago; Pro Football Focus graded him out at 79.3 this season, making him their 16th-ranked tackle in the league.

However, Carter’s performance has been next-level. He earned second-team All-Pro honors while leading the NFL’s stingiest defense in terms of yards allowed, and becoming a cornerstone of the Eagles' championship-caliber team.

Wright or Wrong?

Carter’s explosive performance against the Rams on Sunday reignited debates among Bears fans. Social media quickly lit up with reactions, ranging from regret to outright frustration:

Jalen Carter is a beast. Unblockable. Wish the Bears had him.
— Ben Devine (@Chicago_NFL) January 19, 2025

Jalen Carter is a franchise changing player.. Love Darnell wright, but this will haunt us forever like several other picks #FirePoles #DaBears
— DeneDonny ❌ (@DirtbagDonny) January 19, 2025

BEARS PASSED ON JALEN CARTER FOR DARNELL WRIGHT pic.twitter.com/RRkKXo5NDU
— Fire Ryan Day (@blackgodwayne) January 19, 2025

Khalil Shakir and Jalen Carter being major difference makers for their teams in the same day. #Bears could’ve had both players in 2022 and 2023 respectively but Ryan Poles traded out of both spots, passing up on the opportunity to draft both. pic.twitter.com/XTBKcntjLh
— Coach Usayd Koshul (@usaydkoshul) January 20, 2025

STILL can’t believe Jalen Carter fell to the Bears and they didn’t take him. Never made sense. Ever.
— Davey Dots aka Jabroni Jones (@DaveyDots17) January 19, 2025

Team Darnell: A Few Optimists Speak Out

Despite Carter’s dominance, a segment of Bears Nation remains steadfast in their belief that Wright was the correct choice:

Right Tackles that graded out higher than Darnell Wright in 2024:
- Zach Tom
- Penei Sewell
- Lane Johnson
- Brian O'Neill
THAT IS IT
In year two, he was the 5th highest graded Right Tackle.
... Stop with the narrative that Poles missed on Jalen Carter. He NAILED IT with Wright pic.twitter.com/ajx4LeWLPR
— Adam Mason (@adamhmason) January 7, 2025

I was as critical as almost anyone of Poles for passing on Jalen Carter for Darnell Wright, but I have to say it really does look like he ended up making the right move

Carter is great, but Wright is darn good too, and Poles wouldn’t have drafted Dexter if he took Carter, who is… https://t.co/3wYUrUm4I7
— Luke O’Grady (@LukeOGrady) January 18, 2025

Why is it so difficult for anyone to understand that:

1. Jalen Carter would’ve sucked if he got drafted to the Bears

2. Darnell Wright is legit saving this oline from being one of the worst units in history

I mean cmon people haven’t we learned watching this franchise for so…
— Tanner (@Tanner23062) January 19, 2025

Bears fans bitching about Chicago taking Wright over Carter must not realize how much worse our line would have looked without him.
— JB (@Midwestblood92) January 20, 2025

So let me get this straight…

Us #Bears fans are going to complain about not getting Jalen Carter, but then complain again about how Poles hasn’t invested in the OL enough?
He drafted Darnell Wright, a good RT, instead of Carter.

Make it make sense… pic.twitter.com/bL538TnRt3
— Ryan Mathews (@RMathewsNFL) January 20, 2025

Some Fans Just Aren’t Sure What to Think

And then there are a few supporters who are confused about the whole thing:

I think Darnell Wright was one of Poles’ better picks and I was happy that the Bears took a 1st round tackle. It bothers me though that he passed on Carter bc of “character concerns” after bringing Nate Davis and Chase Claypool into the building
— J (@jw18_15) January 19, 2025

This article first appeared on Chicago Bears on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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