New trade partner is emerging for Bears that could change Chicago's draft strategy
A new potential trade partner is emerging for the Chicago Bears that could change the franchise’s draft strategy
The Chicago Bears are almost certainly going to trade the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Chicago doesn't need a quarterback and it seems that they'd prefer to stockpile draft picks instead of reaching for a player at No. 1.
The big question revolves around which team will make a deal with the Bears for the No. 1 pick.
Over the last several weeks, most of the trade talk has centered around the Houston Texans or Indianapolis Colts trading up for the No. 1 overall pick.
Houston has the No. 2 pick and the Colts have the No. 4 pick. Making a trade with either franchise would guarantee that Chicago still lands a top prospect in the draft while adding a few draft picks.
The Colts, specifically, linger as an ideal trade partner. If quarterbacks are selected with the first two picks of the draft, it would mean the Bears would be guaranteed to land either Alabama EDGE rusher Will Anderson or Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter (pending his legal issues).
Indy GM Chris Ballard worked with Chicago GM Ryan Poles in Kansas City. Poles won't be giving Ballard a "discount", but their familiarity with each other could help a trade develop between the two franchises.
Another team, however, has recently emerged as a legitimate trade partner for Chicago.
The Athletic's Adam Jahns and Kevin Fishbain suggested this week that the Carolina Panthers could be a team to seriously watch in regards to the No. 1 overall pick.
Fishbain pointed out that Panthers GM Scott Fitterer said this week that he'd prefer to draft a franchise quarterback instead of signing one (I think that goes for every NFL team to be fair).
Jahns noted that Carolina can't really afford to sign a free-agent quarterback this offseason (someone like Derek Carr for example) due to their salary cap situation. Which means drafting a quarterback in 2023 is their best path forward.
The Panthers, who have the No. 9 selection, are becoming my favorite potential trade partner. It would net so much for the Bears, including a first-rounder in 2024 but also maybe in 2025 and a young veteran for the roster this year. The Panthers did meet with Derek Carr in Indianapolis. “You have to go down multiple roads at the same time,” Fitterer said. But that road with Carr potentially comes with a toll of $35 million per year. Carolina can’t afford that. They’re over the salary cap right now. They need to clear space for free agency and their draft class. It makes more sense for Carolina to build around a quarterback on his rookie deal. The Panthers already have pieces in place for him.
The Panthers have the No. 9 pick in the draft. If the Bears trade the No. 1 pick to Carolina, it would mean that Chicago would be looking at a different set of players than they were looking at in the top five.
At No. 9, the Bears could target someone like Clemson EDGE rusher Myles Murphy or Texas Tech EDGE rusher Tyree Wilson. An offensive lineman could also be an option in that range.
There's also the possibility that Chicago could trade down again after landing the No. 9 pick.
The Bears have plenty of options when it comes to the No. 1 pick. Despite the rough 2022 season, it's an exciting time to be a Chicago fan. Poles and the Bears' front office have all the resources they need to build Chicago into a Super Bowl contender. They just have to execute their plan now.
