The Bears being this open about potentially trading the No. 1 overall pick is notable in itself; only two teams (the 2001 Chargers and 2016 Titans) have moved down from No. 1 this century. But second-year Chicago GM Ryan Poles is open to unloading the pick before free agency begins.
Since the NFL moved the draft to April in 1976, there have been eight instances of teams trading out of No. 1. Each trade occurred in April, with only one of those moves — the Patriots’ 1984 move up for wideout Irving Fryar — happening before April 14. The Bears will consider bucking tradition here to have their ducks in a row ahead of the market opening.
“There are some scenarios that might benefit us to move before free agency opens, potentially, but again when we get back with all the information that we’ve gathered from here I think we’ll have a better direction,” Poles said, via ESPN.com’s Courtney Cronin. “There’s scenarios where you could add players as well, potentially, which again, gives you some clarity on what you want to do in the draft and free agency.”
Chicago making a push to collect a trade haul before free agency starts (March 15) would both give the rebuilding team a better view of what type of player it can draft, by determining its new draft slot weeks in advance, and clear up another team’s quarterback outlook early. Then again, the team that would be trading up might not be on the same page with the Bears, with free agency beginning before pro days commence. The teams eyeing Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, Anthony Richardson and Will Levis will likely want as much information as possible before agreeing to move up.
Three of the eight modern-era trade-ups were for quarterbacks (Jared Goff, Michael Vick, Jeff George). In having a young dual-threat quarterback in place, the Bears reside in a similar place to the most recent team to trade down. Marcus Mariota started for four-plus seasons in Tennessee, though he did not earn a second contract from the team. Chicago is leaning toward giving Justin Fields a chance to prove he will be worthy of an extension someday. No team has inquired about Fields’ availability, Poles said.
Poles confirmed the Bears will examine the QBs in this year’s QB class. With this being the Bears’ first time picking atop a draft since 1947, such research is mandatory. Jets examinations of the 2021 field, when the team held the No. 2 overall pick, led to a trade of Sam Darnold and selection of Zach Wilson. Fields has shown a bit more upside than Darnold after two seasons, though the Bears still need to see plenty more of the Ohio State product as a passer. Poles had previously said the Bears would need to be blown away to take a quarterback first overall. It certainly does not look like that has happened.
“We’ve always leaned [toward trading back from No. 1] because Justin did some really good things,” Poles said. “I’m excited about where his game is going to go, but at the same time, when you sit in our situation at 1 overall, you have to do your due diligence, you have to investigate everything, you have to spend time with those guys just to make sure we’re making the right decision.”
Trading down before free agency also would be a move that would hinder the Bears’ study of this QB class, with “30” visits taking place between free agency and the draft as well. It should be considered unlikely the Bears pull the trigger that early, but this trade will be one of the league’s top storylines ahead of the draft.
Teams like the Texans (No. 2), Colts (No. 4), Raiders (No. 7) and Panthers (No. 9) will be in range to move up, combining a QB need with top-10 draft real estate. It will both depend on the offers and how far the Bears are willing to move down. Poles’ trades in 2022 point to the team being fairly open on the latter front.
Bravo
I’d be surprised if Poles didn’t move back at least twice. I would. They need as many draft picks as they can get. I don’t know if I’d make them all THIS year, because that might cause a cap nightmare down the road. He could trade a few this year for picks down the road and spread them out a little.
The problem with moving back twice is needing partners who are willing to give up what it takes to make it worthwhile. Unless they move back to just #2 first, I’m not sure they’ll be able to move back twice.
I could see them move back to #4, and then trade back down again with a Vegas or Carolina, if they really want the 3rd QB on the board.
Fantasy world here but I would love if they traded to the colts for Pittman and picks them down to the panthers for burns and picks and just take the best player available.
I should flag your comment. This is offensive to football lol
I agree @myaccount2. The dream scenario for the Bears would probably be to move back twice. I just don’t think there will be more than one opportunity available to do so. The QB class just isn’t that strong this year. I can’t see teams getting that desperate to move up to grab a guy.
I think the Bears deal with Indy and get 4 and 2nd, 3rd, and 1st and 2nd next year. Then the wild card is AZ. Do they trade back? It doesn’t matter what WE think the Bears and Cards THINK THEY have their QB’s. I think if Carter is there at 4 they take him. If not they move back again. They need so many things they can’t miss really. We really don’t know what Poles can do with high draft picks, Because he hasn’t had any yet. Thanks Pace, The gift that keeps on giving. Thank God for Lovie Smith.
Well the Carter situation makes it a whole lot easier. With Carter probably off the Bears board they can focus on the offense. You build a D Line from the the T’s on out. First you get the inside pass rush to flush the QB out to the Ends and LB’s. See Justin Fields for confirmation. Mustipher and Patrick stink so Fields had company before he could even set up. You build an O Line from the T’s on IN! The Bears need to get that C from Minnesota who’s supposed to be the best in the draft. So you get Paris Johnson for LT, move Jones to RT where he’s better suited and then with a C you have a line. Jenkins is OK at G and Whitehair can stay or go this year I don’t care. Or you draft a WR in rd 1 and get a LT later, there are some out there. But either way Anderson and Carter should be out of the Picture for now.
I would still draft carter. He was a college bro driving like an @$$ it happens and he won’t make that mistake again.
Yeah, it’s just so hard to move back twice and you rarely see it. I think they’ll move back once, then take Carter or Anderson.
While they could use the extra picks, the question is will they draft wisely with those picks. And I’m not certain Fields is the guy to lead them.
Bears best move is to move back to the number two spot and then flip the number two for more picks and move back again and if a great package comes in for Fields take it and truly rebuild the team.
If you’re the worst team in the league the benefits free agency will provide are rather limited. Ryan Pace was a poor GM but he wasn’t afraid to take risks. I’m starting to wonder if Poles will do anything but play an ultra safe game.
I think he’s trying to build the team for a sustained run of success rather than rushing to put together a playoff team with some stars, but also some holes. And I like that.
With Seattle sitting on two first-rounders this year and their main QB not under contract, it wouldn’t be a big surprise if they were in play here.
Absolutely agree. I see them laser focused on Young.
Will Poles gift Lovie Smith some season tickets after the trade? That’s the real question.
Lovie is always welcome back home.
the bears might trade the pick? no way! breaking news
Agreed. Slow news day so let’s write an article about the obvious.
The headline made it very clear what the article is about… Why did you bother to take the time to read it and comment?
I find it hard to believe he’d trade before FA opens. It won’t be til teams have a chance to individually work out these kids that they’ll know if one stands out enough to trade up for. And that won’t happen til after the Combine and after FA starts. Gonna be interesting to watch what happens.
I don’t care if they get extra picks or not as long as they come away with either Carter or Anderson. If they do trade down to 2 or 4 they better get a 2024 1st in the deal because having 2 firsts is your escape hatch if you need to move in from Fields.
The NFL has the dates for free agency and the draft in the wrong order. Free agency would be much more interesting if it began AFTER the draft – as everyone would know what holes your team didn’t fill via the draft.
That’s exactly why the order is what it is… makes draft day trades so common because teams know what other teams holes are and everyone is trying to jump everyone
Carter news breaks, but shortly before that the Bears are suddenly motivated to move out of the 1st slot… what a shock.
Suddenly?
Bears should hedge their bets and ask for picks in next year’s draft when trading back. Give Fields another year to show he can be the guy and if he doesn’t they’ll have ammo to move up and get next year’s best QB.
Makes too much sense for Chicago to move back to either 4 or 5. They still get Anderson or Carter.
Theoretical trade they trade back to 4 with the Colts and get the Colts 2nd this year (bears have no second rd pick) and their first next year.
If Fields crashes and burns you’re probably picking high in a tough division and have 2 firsts to move up if needed in a much better QB class.
Bears do have a 2nd round pick and it would take a lot more than 2 picks to move up
Bears fans just remember Poles is the guy who traded what turned out to be the 33 pick in the draft for Claypool. Good luck.
32nd
This just in, this just in, a GM tried something, and it failed… Hate to break it to you, but ALL GMs make bad trades. This is also the same GM that many could argue got a LOT of value with very little in last years draft. So, yeah, Poles maybe gaffed on Claypool, but to assume he is just going to stink up the rest of his tenure over that one trade is just short sighted to put it nicely.