There were already rumblings in recent days that the buzz around the Chicago Bears trading the #1 overall pick. It made too much sense. They’re a rebuilding team. They already have their young quarterback in Justin Fields. Auctioning the pick off to the highest bidder would allow them to collect several extra selections, using them to infuse the roster with young, athletic talent. ESPN insider Adam Schefter then dropped the bombshell that “multiple” teams have already been in contact with the Bears about the pick.
A few days later, at the scouting combine in Indianapolis, Schefter had a chance to elaborate on what he’s been hearing. He maintained the stance that several teams are interested, maybe as much as half a dozen. If the price is right, there could be a serious willingness to make a deal. GM Ryan Poles hopes to recoup some of what the Bears lost in the Chase Claypool trade, getting back into the top of the 2nd round. Where it gets interesting is what Schefter said near the end of the segment.
“I think there’s an expectation around the league that sometime before the draft that that #1 pick very well could be sent elsewhere. And if you look at all the teams in the top 10, there are about a half dozen of them that could make an argument about moving up if the price is right and the player that they have identified is somebody worthy if moving up to go get.”
It’s one thing when fans and media think something is going to happen. When people around the league itself think the same, it feels almost like a foregone conclusion. It comes down to Poles getting the offer he can be happy with. That should come once other teams make their final determinations on the quarterback outlook. Presuming they’re out of the veteran sweepstakes for guys like Derek Carr or Aaron Rodgers, the draft is their best chance to land a difference-maker. If they want the best guy on their board, it will require the #1 pick.
Much of this depends on how far the Bears are willing to drop. If they wish to stay in the top five, it limits their options to Houston (#2), Indianapolis (#4), and maybe Seattle (#5). If they’re comfortable going further, it allows teams like Las Vegas (#7), Atlanta (#8), Carolina (#9), and even Tennessee (#11) to get involved. Adam Schefter indicated that some of them are already involved in talks. A deal could happen as early as next week. History says it might wait for late March or early April.
