Ryan Poles bucked NFL tradition last year when he traded the #1 overall pick to the Carolina Panthers. It was only the third time it had happened this side of the millennium. Early results are hard to argue with. Wide receiver D.J. Moore is playing like a star. First round pick Darnell Wright has been a rock-solid starter from the moment he stepped on the field. Last but not least, the Bears currently project to hold the #1 overall pick again in 2024 due to Carolina's rough season. Poles could have lightning strike twice. This time, many expect him to do what he didn't this year: take a quarterback.
The options appear far stronger this time around. Caleb Williams of USC and Drake Maye of North Carolina are considered virtual locks to go in the top two picks. Williams has drawn comments of "generational player" a time or two—Maye's earning comparisons to Justin Herbert. Surely, Poles won't pass on the opportunity to draft one of them. Well, Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report thinks he should. The list of QB-needy teams stacked behind Chicago is staggering. Putting the #1 spot up for grabs would quickly create a bidding war. Chicago could continue stacking piles of picks and build around Justin Fields.
He even has the perfect team in mind.
Now, the Bears could stand pat and take a top quarterback prospect. That possibility remains on the table. Or, Chicago could stick with Justin Fields and continue to build around him while adding windfall of picks, particularly after moving its second-round selection to acquire edge-rusher Montez Sweat.
Last year's deal gave Chicago its leading receiver, D.J. Moore, two first-round picks and a pair of second-round selections. More can be added to build a groundswell of young talent and make the Bears more competitive overall.
Chicago can pick up Fields' fifth-round rookie option next offseason, play out the rest of his contract and add significant talent, specifically if this particular trade-down doesn't involve a drastic move toward the bottom of the top 10.
Which Team Should Trade Up? — New England Patriots
The New England Patriots haven't been bad enough to "earn" a top-five pick since selecting Willie McGinest fourth overall in 1994. They currently own the third overall pick. It's an ideal spot to leapfrog to the top of the draft and select their preferred quarterback prospect.
Ryan Poles' objective in that scenario would be obvious.
New England would take their QB. Arizona would likely do the same at #2, moving on from Kyler Murray. Then, the Bears would be free to draft Ohio State star receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. while stacking more future draft picks in the process. Fields has another cheap year left on his rookie contract. He's played three of his best games over his past four starts. It isn't crazy to believe the quarterback has turned a corner. Pairing Harrison and Moore together would give him by far the best weapons he's had since joining the NFL.
It is important to remember what Ryan Poles said last year. To move on from Fields, he needed to be blown away by the QB options available in the draft. He wasn't. Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud didn't move the needle. Of course, Stroud has been playing really well in Houston lately, but the Bears' general manager doesn't seem to regret his decision. It will be interesting to see if Williams or Maye can make stronger impressions. This may hinge on what Fields does over the remaining six games.
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