You make a decent point by looking at one season, but Id argue those teams are overall in better shape than bottom 5 teams and arent better off for losing now.
plus, as stated, the Bears are in a different position. They have a crazy amount of cap space next season and have a QB on a rookie deal. If we needed a QB I could sympathize more. But as it is, I think building a winning culture is a step in the right direction.
The Patriots won't be drafting a QB but won't know whether they really have one for two more years. Belichik is certainly less than convinced. They're in last place right now.
The Raiders are most certainly not in better position than the Bears right now. They are actually one of two teams with a worse record. And they certainly don't know they have the right coach.
Steelers? They're a well run organization and I would expect them to recover before too long, but they also are in QB purgatory. Do they have one, or don't they? They drafted one last year so they won't take advantage of an opportunity to get one this year and it will be a mistake.
Cardinals? Same as above. They're committed to a QB who is so-so, and expensive, and their coaching staff is a huge question mark. They were one team bold enough to draft a QB immediately after spending a high pick the previous yearm and they were right to move on. But their prospects for being a legit contender any time soon are not great.
Every one of those teams would be far better off losing now, but the ones who sort of have a QB wouldn't draft a QB when they should so it may not help. The Raiders are losing - more than the Bears so far - even though they're not trying to. But Josh McDaniels is the Human Tank Job, so they're doing it anyway.
Mired in mediocrity is the worst place to be. The Bears for years drafted mid-round and seldom got the talent they needed. Losing stinks, but I'd rather they lose now and win later than tread water forever.
