If The Chicago Bears Trade Down From #25, Here Is How It Will Happen
Right now, the debate happening among Chicago Bears fans is what general manager Ryan Poles will do when the team goes on the clock at 25th overall. After watching how free agency played out over the past few days, the general agreement is that the team is likely to focus on the defensive side of the ball. Edge rusher, defensive tackle, and safety seem the most likely directions for them to go, since the team has notable question marks at each position. However, another scenario is in play.
They could look to trade down.
We already know Poles isn’t averse to moving down in the draft. He’s done it several times over the past four years. That includes twice in the 1st round in 2023, going from #1 to #9 and #9 to #10. Right now, the Bears have seven picks. They have 26 roster slots unfilled as of writing this. That means the team may look to add more picks during the draft. Moving down from #25 feels like their best chance to do that. If it’s going to happen, though, here is how things must unfold.
The Chicago Bears trade-down scenario will involve a quarterback.
You’ll find that the most coveted prize for teams moving from the top of the 2nd round into the bottom of the 1st are hunting for quarterbacks. Since 2000, it has happened six times, far more than any other position. Often, the reason for this is that they weren’t able to get one in the top 15 because the value wasn’t there. At the same time, the longer they wait, the more paranoid they get about somebody taking a QB they want in the bottom of the 1st. See what Green Bay did with Aaron Rodgers in 2005. That is why there have been plenty of trades involving quarterbacks since 2000.
| Year | NFL Team | Quarterback | Final Slot | Trade Compensation Given |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | New York Giants | Jaxon Dart | No. 25 | No. 34 (2nd), No. 99 (3rd), 2026 3rd-round pick |
| 2018 | Baltimore Ravens | Lamar Jackson | No. 32 | No. 52 (2nd), No. 125 (4th), and 2019 2nd-round pick |
| 2014 | Minnesota Vikings | Teddy Bridgewater | No. 32 | No. 40 (2nd) and No. 108 (4th) |
| 2010 | Denver Broncos | Tim Tebow | No. 25 | No. 43 (2nd), No. 70 (3rd), and No. 114 (4th) |
| 2007 | Cleveland Browns | Brady Quinn | No. 22 | No. 36 (2nd) and 2008 1st-round pick |
| 2004 | Buffalo Bills | J.P. Losman | No. 22 | No. 43 (2nd), No. 144 (5th), and 2005 1st-round pick |
| 2003 | Baltimore Ravens | Kyle Boller | No. 19 | No. 41 (2nd) and 2004 1st-round pick |
Teams to watch: New York Jets (#33), Arizona Cardinals (#34), and Cleveland Browns (#39). Everybody knows the Las Vegas Raiders will take Fernando Mendoza #1 overall next month. After that, a quarterback isn’t expected to go anywhere in the top 15 or 20. That means unless the Jets, Cardinals, and Browns are willing to overdraft a quarterback they like, they will be hunting for one when they’re next on the board. With all three teams clustered at the top of the 2nd round, it’s not crazy to think one of them will decide to just go up and get their guy.
Ty Simpson is the name Chicago wants on the board
While Mendoza is the obvious top quarterback in this class, the general consensus is that Alabama’s Ty Simpson is the #2 guy. Most believe he has the processing speed and accuracy of a future NFL starter, and he sharpened his teeth in college football’s toughest conference. For a trade down to happen, the Chicago Bears will need good bait. Simpson is likely the only one who will entice one of those teams to come up from the 2nd round to get him. For that to happen, Poles needs the QB to get past a few tricky spots in the top 24.
The ones to watch are probably the following:
- New York at #16
- Pittsburgh at #21
- Cleveland at #24
The Browns are by far the biggest threat in this scenario. They are perfectly positioned to grab Simpson if they wish. Everything depends on how serious they are about Shedeur Sanders as their possible future quarterback. Recent indications suggest new head coach Todd Monken is a big fan. That offers some hope. Pittsburgh is hoping Aaron Rodgers returns for another year. Even if he does, they must start looking to the future. New York has two 1st rounders. They could grab the best non-QB at #2 overall and save #16 to grab the QB. If any of those events occur, the Bears will find it difficult to trade at all.