Good fortune has followed the Chicago Bears for what feels like months now. It started back in early January when the Houston Texans inexplicably won a thriller against Indianapolis in the season finale. That victory handed GM Ryan Poles the #1 overall pick. A month later, he turned that into the #9 pick, three additional picks (including a future 1st), and wide receiver D.J. Moore. One would think that’s more than enough good luck for one off-season. No sense in getting greedy. Except the winds may still favor the Bears.
Insider Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk explained on 670 The Score how a scenario is unfolding that could shake up the entire draft. For the longest time, everybody was convinced quarterbacks would go in at least three of the top four spots of the 1st round. Based on new information, that is no longer a certainty. Carolina is expected to take Bryce Young of Alabama at #1. According to multiple reports, the Houston Texans aren’t committed to C.J. Stroud at #2 and are seeking a way to trade down. If this proves true, it could create chaos and possibly open a window of opportunity for the Bears.
“The Bears need to start wondering will as many quarterbacks come off the board before #9 as they originally thought? It may not be as many as four as I think Ryan Poles had hoped. It may not be three that come off the board by the time the Bears are on the clock at #9. Hell, they could maybe trade down again from #9 to a team that wants to get one of the remaining top quarterbacks.”
It could be almost a repeat of what happened at #1. Poles will hold a position of high leverage at #9, knowing the Tennessee Titans, who also need a quarterback, will be sitting two spots away at #11. That means any team interested in one of the remaining quarterbacks must jump in front. It’s already well-known the Bears want to move down. Having one or two QBs to dangle only helps their cause. It means teams like New York (#13), New England (#14), Washington (#16), and Tampa Bay (#19) would have some justification for a move up.
That doesn’t even include Pittsburgh, who seem intent on landing either Jalen Carter or a top offensive tackle. The possibilities are plentiful for Ryan Poles. It comes down to how those first eight picks unfold. If only two QBs go in that range, it could open up the floodgates on the phone lines. The word is the Bears seek another 2nd round pick in exchange for moving down. Poles seems to feel that is where the strength of this class is. If he pulls it off, this draft has a chance to be one of the most impactful in years.
