Bryce Young was on the minds of NFL fans on Sunday as they turned their attention to the NFL Draft.
After the Houston Texans beat the Indianapolis Colts, 32-21, the Chicago Bears received the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft, as the Texans improved to 3-13-1, while the Bears fell to the Vikings and slipped to 3-14 on the season. Young is expected to be the first quarterback taken in the draft, according to ESPN NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay.
The Bears are now scheduled to make the No. 1 overall draft pick for the first time since 1947.
Because of that scenario, and the narrow nature of the Texans-Colts game, fans twisted themselves into pretzels to root for teams and players in unusual fashion. It was an especially backwards development when Houston’s Davis Mills found Jordan Akins for a 28-yard touchdown, and then Akins caught another pass for a 2-point conversion.
Fans even were creative about trade scenarios for other teams along with the Texans and Bears.
Here’s a sample of the reaction from fans all over:
“The Carolina Panthers have traded the 9th, 69th and a 2024 third round pick for the Chicago Bears #1 pick.. and with the first pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.. The Carolina Panthers select… Bryce Young, Alabama” – Roger Goodell
— Keyvaun Cobb (@KeyvaunCobb) January 8, 2023
Texans can still get Bryce Young without the 1st pick since the Bears have Fields so I doesn’t matter
— nobody (@KingLloyderzzz) January 8, 2023
I think Bryce Young is very happy the Texans won and won’t have the number one pick.
— preston _22 (@preston2218) January 8, 2023
The Texans needed to lose to the Colts to clinch the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL draft ? pic.twitter.com/JoCZuHGSRy
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 8, 2023
“Can’t replace me with Bryce Young if we don’t have the #1 pick…” pic.twitter.com/ThceFFwICY
— The Volume (@TheVolumeSports) January 8, 2023
This doesn’t necessarily mean the Texans miss out in Bryce Young cause the Bears likely will build around Fields. BUT the Bears are much more likely to trade this to a QB needy team to increase draft capital. https://t.co/r3UuI7zm6v
— Cow Slurpee (@EricPetee2) January 8, 2023
You think the Bears with Justin Fields would take Bryce Young with the #1?
— Michael Conrad (@m1chaelconrad) January 8, 2023
Seems like the obvious play is you take whatever the craziest offer for Bryce Young is. Someone is absolutely gonna offer two firsts and then some for him
— Kenny (@get24maizenblue) January 8, 2023
Bryce Young will be injury prone like every other little QB that gets drafted. Let him got to Indy. Let Indy trade the equivalent of 2 drafts to move up to draft a guy 5’11 190 lbs. I am all for it. Tua, Kyler, Lamar, Baker are bigger than Bryce and stay hurt anyway
— Okeezie (@OkeezieSportsPT) January 8, 2023
Want it to be known that Bryce Young is the most generational QB prospect of all time. Any GM would be wise to give whatever it takes to land him.
And CJ Stroud looks like the 2nd coming of John Elway. GMs would be wise to give whatever it takes to secure him on their roster.
— Quinten Krzysko (@ButkusStats) January 8, 2023
I have never seen a class this stacked in all honesty.
– Bryce Young has the makings of being the next Drew Brees
– CJ Stroud looks like he could be Joe Burrow 2.0
– Will Levis has the physical tools to be better than Josh Allen!A generational year of QBs!
— Bartholomew Willijax (@B_Willijax) January 8, 2023