Seeing their 10-game losing streak prove enough — thanks to some help from their former coach in his Texans finale — the Bears have a number of options at No. 1 overall. By virtue of the Texans’ Lovie Smith-guided win Sunday, the Bears have a chance to make the No. 1 overall pick for the first time in 76 years.
Chicago could go with a best-player-available approach, likely ending with an SEC defensive lineman, or put the pick up for sale. No one has traded down from No. 1 since the Titans did so in 2016 (allowing the Rams to land Jared Goff). A third option — drafting a quarterback first overall — looks to be a much lower-percentage shot for GM Ryan Poles.
“We’re going to do the same as we’ve always done — we’re going to evaluate the draft class,” Poles said Tuesday, “and I would say this: I would have to be absolutely blown away to make that type of decision.”
[RELATED: Colts Open To Trading Up For Quarterback]
While the Bears selecting a quarterback first overall would remind of the Cardinals’ 2019 decision to take Kyler Murray a year after they had chosen Josh Rosen 10th overall in 2018, Justin Fields has shown far more than Rosen did. The Bears have Fields signed through 2024, and a fifth-year option would take the run-oriented QB’s deal through 2025. Bryce Young‘s pre-draft buzz could conceivably affect Fields, but as of now, it does not sound like that will happen.
Poles endorsed Fields as the Bears’ starting quarterback in 2023. Despite the Bears not equipping him with too much at wide receiver, the deadline deal for Chase Claypool notwithstanding, Fields showed growth during his second season. He nearly broke Lamar Jackson‘s record for rushing yards by a quarterback. Chicago’s decision to shut him down ahead of Week 18 kept the Ohio State product at 1,143 rushing yards — second-most in a season by a QB.
Fields, however, took an NFL-high 55 sacks, and the Bears ranked last in the league in passing. It would be rather shocking for Chicago to take a quarterback, but this regime did not draft Fields in 2021. Poles and Co. will prepare for the Bears’ rare opportunity atop the draft board.
“I think we have really good flexibility to help this team, regardless if it’s making the pick there or moving back a little bit or moving back a lot. We’ll be open to everything,” Poles said. “We can evaluate the talent there; we can see what player presents themselves in that position to help us, and then we can look at the scenario. If the phones go off and there are certain situations where that can help us, then we’ll go down that avenue, too.”
Moving up 14 spots to No. 1 in 2016, the Rams sent the Titans two 2016 second-rounders, their 2017 first and a 2017 third in the Goff deal. Prior to that, the last time a team traded out of No. 1 overall — excluding the 2004 Philip Rivers–Eli Manning scenario that came about because of the latter’s wishes to not play in San Diego — was 2001, when the Chargers gave the Falcons the Michael Vick pick. The Bears, however, sent the 49ers two third-round choices and a fourth-rounder to move up one spot for Mitch Trubisky at No. 2 in 2017. Considering Young’s Heisman pedigree, Chicago might ask for more than that if Houston wanted to climb a spot this year.
Thanks to the Fields and Khalil Mack trades, the Bears have only made two first-round picks over the past five drafts. Trading down would allow for the rebuilding team to keep stockpiling assets, as it showed it was willing to do with the trades of veteran defenders last year. Otherwise, Will Anderson or Jalen Carter — Mel Kiper Jr.’s top two players in the 2023 class — would await to give Chicago a centerpiece of its defensive rebuild.
And pundits will run with this and say Bears not happy with Fields.
Wild idea but Washington makes a lot of sense with McLaurin heading back to Chicago in the deal for the #1 overall.
Commanders need a franchise QB
Bears need a #1 receiver and can always add on to McLaurins contract already.
Maybe Commanders take Bryce Young at #1. They do have a decent supporting cast with Dotson Samuel McKissic Gibson and Robinson. Could add to it via free agency.
I wouldn’t trade McLaurin to move up for any QB in this year’s class. It’s just not a strong group. Washington would be better off adding a veteran QB via trade or FA and letting McLaurin help them.
And on the flip side of the coin, Bears would need way more than McLaurin and Washington’s 1st rd pick to move off #1. Just not ideal trade partners.
Plus didn’t Bears trade their 2023 2nd rounder for Claypool?
Yes and the Steelers thank them for that daily.
Presumably he’d also want to put an antenna up as to what other teams would offer for either the top pick or for Fields. I like Fields, but it’s easy to see the appeal in four years of Bryce Young plus an option vs. two cheap years of Fields plus an option.
(I’m big on Young, but my move would almost certainly be full-blown bidding war for the top pick.)
Fields might not have a long career if he’s a run first QB.
An improved offensive line and receiving corps would certainly help. Some people will be more concerned about Young’s size in terms of durability than Fields’ running. Either guy will need more protection.
The Bears don’t need another 1st string QB. What they really need is a backup who can do some of the things that Fields does so that if he gets hurt, They don’t have to change the offense mid game. Semian and Petermann aren’t those guys. I heard there was a QB in the CFL who does a lot of the things Fields does. Don’t remember his name but could be a cheap option. Or draft one late, or there are even guys like a Geno Smith are around. Not saying Smith but a guy like him.
Fields has improved this year right bears fans? Looked good in that niners game.
Fields has improved. The greatest tell is in his post game pressers. He doesn’t talk as fast, his answers are next level, he talks about who is where they are supposed to be on the field, and his random scrambling has become less often.
Chicago has not had a QB in generations. They are not going to give up on Fields. They are finally in a position to play the game of dangling the draft carrot and build for the future.
Jay cutler was the man, bro. Better than any niners qb since Steve young w the possible exception of Jeff Garcia for a little bit
Was that the game played in a foot of rain?
lol yes and neither team looked good
Rich Eisen had the best take on this: Bears should trade back in the 2023 draft, build a huge cache of 2024 picks, see how Fields progresses, then (potentially) use their 2024 picks to move up to #1 and draft Caleb Williams.
Makes sense. A lot of people said that about the Eagles going into this season, and now they have a bonus first rounder when they don’t need a QB.
Bingo. They should move back as often as they can, pick up some WRs and pass protection, and stockpile picks for next season to give themselves flexibility. Drafting a QB this season with more potential questions than the potentially good one they already have seems foolish.
This cycle kills me. Here’s my take: There are more talented QB’s in the NFL right now than there are coaches qualified to design offenses around them. The eternal search for the next big thing at QB is really a search to find a player capable of overcoming an overall lack of courage, creativity, and vision in NFL coaching ranks. The Bears, like several other teams, should focus on finding better coaching instead of hoping to get lucky with different QB’s.
The Bears coaches are fine, they need better players.. I mean when you have Pringle and St Brown starting games you are going to have issues on Offense.I think at least Getsy and Eberflus listen the Fields, Nagy just liked to tell people what to do.
Either draft a QB or trade the pick. There is no third option. Fields seems to be developing..franchise altering decision will be made here.
It would be odd if the Bears weren’t offered a king’s ransom for that #1 pick, so they should leverage that advantage to find the other key pieces they need – as they are clearly at least another year from being competitive.
What I’d like to see happen is this … continue dangling Fields, but knowing that you are going to keep him. Trade down to #2 to Texans and grab draft capital, then trade down to Colts for more 2023 draft capital and a 2024 1st. Still grab either top Edge or DT.
I agree with this outside of the dangling u less you tell him for sure you aren’t trading him and to ignore anything/everything that comes out.
Young and Stroud are way better fits for the Bears than Fields and that’s no disrespect to Fields. The fact is Fields isn’t a good passer. He makes plays with his legs and that’s his biggest asset. In many ways the Bears failed him. A trade out of Chicago to a team like Washington might be his best fit. So draft Young #1 and pick up Washington’s first and get a receiver for him to throw to like Jaxon Smith-Nijba or Jalin Hyatt and pair him with Claypool and maybe Chicago has something going. I mean we’re all armchair GM’s just a thought
No they are not. Fields can be a good passer, he has shown that in fits and spurts throughout the season, but with that turnstile O line and lack of good WRs he has tiny tiny windows to make his throws, but I think they can coach that confidence to thread the needle to him.. Not sold on college QBs who have yet to play a snap in the NFL, Fields has shown he can.
Address your line.
Bears should hire Lovie back as a thank you.
They also will get jack for Justin Fields. The only valuable asset is the #1 pick. They are no where near competing, build a team thru the draft, then and only then go all in for a QB. It is possible that Fields is not even on the roster in year 5.
Possible? Sure anything is possible, but unlikely. Fields needs to take a next step and its clear that year under Nagy was a throw away year (unfortunately).
Fields hasn’t shown anything that says “NFL QB”. He runs for his life like a champ but other than that …
Fields is a DFS stud, nothing more
Lot of options for Poles but the best one might be to ask the Blackhawks what they would do…then do the exact opposite.
Fields is a very good running back, not a good QB. He will eventually get hurt like all the other running QB’s . Actually he has been hurt the last 2 seasons
Please, please, PLEASE trade down and shore up the O line. What qb can succeed leading the league in sacks taken? Would love to see them get a stud LT. Lots of holes on this roster, including DL and WR
Free Agency will determine what happens with this pick. I see the Bears being very active in FA, but not necessarily for the high end $20M a year guys like Payne etc. I see them upgrading across the roster with speed and some young up and coming lineman. With receivers like Mercole Hardman and Parris Campbell being examples. All they need is for Houston to fall in love with either Young or Stroud and feel the threat of the Colts or someone else willing to move up for the Bears to trade down.
I’ve seen some unrealistic and greedy fans want to trade with the Texans 1 to 2, then with the Colts 2 to 4.
The only realistic trade is to swap 1 to the Colts for 4 and their ’24 1st. This still guarantees the Bears either Will Anderson or Jalen Carter. Trading down further to pick up a couple more later picks isn’t worth missing out on a top impact player.
However, this assumes the Colts want to trade up for CJ Stroud or Bryce Young. They could stand pat at 4 if they’re happy with Will Levis.
Ming- That idea of trading back twice to 2 then 4 is not only realistic, It’s pretty plausible. It all depends on whether Houston is sold on both guys or just one. If they know Indy will leapfrog them to # 1 they will make a deal. And if the Colts are satisfied with Levis and stay at 4, Then there is the Raiders who will definitely move up and Indy will be mediocre for the future again. Irsay will cry, Ballard will be fired and the fans will complain. The Bears would rather have #4 so they have a shot at Anderson or Carter, But Paris Johnson or a WR would be a nice consolation prize for dropping back to 7. Plus who is to say Levis doesn’t go # 3?
Lol. Irsay will cry and Ballard will be fired. That is Grade A emotional fan fiction, and lacking any business acumen.
What I would do in the keep Fields scenario:
1) call the Texans – get 2-3 firsts and some mid-lower picks
2) bidding war for #2 pick. The bears can do some serious rebuilding right away
You’re not getting that return for moving back 1 spot, But moving back to 4 would probably get you 2 1st’s, That’s the usual return plus more. Idiot Pace gave up 2 firsts just to move from 21 to 10 to get the 5th best QB on the board. But he is an idiot.
You can’t look at it as moving back 1 spot. You have to convince the Texans that you’ll trade that pick to Indy or another team. Jets traded 3 second round picks to move up from 6 to 3 to take Darnold. It was because they feared teams below them would also move up. Fear and be a great negotiator
Kyler Murray isn’t exactly revered in AZ. What if the new GM decides to dump Murray and get involved in the party? Lot’s of drama to play out yet.
Kyler Murray isn’t getting cut 1 year into a contract extension and with $97.5M in dead money. Keep writing your fan fiction.
The three teams picking behind you are going to have new HC’s. Arizona probably won’t be able to dump Murray. It will all depend on how teams view the differences between Young and Stroud and if Levis blows people away at the combine for some reason. For the Bears it will be about scheme and who they believe is a better fit between Anderson, Carter and Beese. At the end of the day it’s supply and demand. For the Bears, best case scenario is Young becomes head and shoulders above the rest will be the only way for them to fleece someone.
Not only will they have new HC’s but other than Ballard who I think is on shaky ground and will probably have to make a move to save his job, They will have new GM’s as I think Caserio is gone too. Poles is entrenched so it’s a case of who wants it most?
Fields is still a question mark but its amazing to see so many trash a guy who had no O line or WR’s worth a #$%^. Give Fields an off season where he can work with good WRs, and see the Bears get a good o Line in front of him before all of you all go ‘Cutler’ on Fields.