The Chicago Bears still have some important decisions ahead of them, despite having entirely eliminated their offensive coaching staff in an attempt to rebuild an uneven and occasionally terrible offense.
The most important choice to make is at quarterback. Entertainer Justin Fields is about to enter his fourth season in the NFL, and while he has shown some progress in terms of performance and reliability, many doubts remain about his long-term potential as a top-tier NFL starter. In addition, Chicago has the first overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft, which coincidentally features blue chip quarterback prospects Caleb Williams and Drake Maye at the top of the board. These uncertainties surround Fields.
What will the Bears choose to do with their first pick and quarterbacking situation going forward? Many astute football fans are conjuring up many scenarios.
Chicago Bears’ Initial Trade Requests
In a few of those possibilities, Chicago looks to emulate its success from the previous draft, in which they again held the first overall pick but chose to trade it for a number of picks and a seasoned, established player. In exchange for wide receiver DJ Moore of the Carolina Panthers, the Panthers’ ninth overall pick, their 61st overall pick, a 2024 first-round selection, and a 2025 second-round selection, the Bears gave up their first-round pick to the Panthers. The Bears gained a lot from having Moore join them, but that trade last year also directly led to them selecting first overall this year.
There are clear ways for them to replicate their achievements from before the draft, and they might only be selected one or two positions lower this year.
Ezoic
Ryan Wilson of CBS Sports suggested a fake draft trade in which the Chicago Bulls would swap with the Washington Commanders, who had the second overall pick.
The Commanders offer the Bears their first-round pick (and a chance to select Caleb Williams as their new quarterback) in exchange for the no. 1 overall pick in this deal, which also returns the no. 41 pick—which Chicago had sent to Washington in exchange for Montez Sweat—and a 2025 first-round pick.
Choosing to hold onto Fields as their starting quarterback, Chicago would select wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. with their new #1 pick, one position behind the Commanders. Harrison’s addition to the pass-catching group would provide Fields with another weapon and “go to” receiver. Many would contend that Harrison is the greatest NFL-ready player available in the draft overall.
Chicago might help Fields even more by adding a solid offensive lineman or an impact defensive player with their own No. 9 first round pick.
Additional Draft Trade Offers
It should be mentioned that the Bears would drop further in the draft in other draft trade scenarios, but they would also acquire proven players in exchange.
The Bears’ top pick would be acquired by Las Vegas in return for their 13th overall pick, a 2024 second-round pick, and a 2025 first-round pick in a hypothetical trade with the Raiders. In exchange, they would also receive Maxx Crosby, an excellent defensive end.
In another proposal for a deal with the Atlanta Falcons, the Falcons would acquire the Bears no. 1 pick in exchange for their no. 8 pick, a 2024 second round pick, and their no. 1 picks in both 2025 and 2026. The Bears would also get veteran defensive end Grady Jarrett. In any of those scenarios, a mighty haul awaits Chicago. All of this, of course, is assuming the Bears will be staying with Justin Fields, which certainly looks less likely following the recent mass firing of offensive coaching staff. But we shall see soon enough.
