Big Ten Analyst Drops Marvin Harrison Jr. Bears Bombshell

The Chicago Bears know they're taking a quarterback at #1 overall. Nobody disputes that. Everything points to Caleb Williams becoming the next franchise guy for them. After that, it becomes a waiting game to see who may or may not be available at #9. GM Ryan Poles has spent the past couple of weeks formulating various plans of action depending on how the board unfolds. Not too long ago, none of those plans would've involved star Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. Every single projection of the 2024 draft had him long gone before the Bears could ever dream of landing him. Those thoughts might have to change.

Something weird has been going on with Harrison throughout the past few months. Usually, a prospect spends the months of January through March preparing for key events such as the scouting combine and pro days. However, Harrison has done none of those things. He didn't work out at the combine and did not show up on the Ohio State pro day. Right around the same time was when draft projections suddenly hinted at the possibility LSU's Malike Nabers leapfrogging him to become the first receiver off the board on April 25th.

Big 10 analyst and insider of the Beyond The Big 10 podcast Joey Christopoulos believes all of this is by design. He's heard whispers that Harrison is trying to weaken his draft stock. Why? He wants to play for the Bears. Christopoulos dropped his bombshell on Sports Talk Chicago with Mark Bergin.

Such a move by Marvin Harrison Jr. can only be for one reason.

It isn't sentimentality. He was born in Philadelphia and went to high school there. There is no hometown desire. It certainly isn't franchise reputation. Chicago has one winning season since 2013 and doesn't have a stellar track record for developing wide receivers. The only possible reason Harrison would want to come to the Bears is because he knows Williams is going there, too. He wants to go somewhere he can be assured of playing with a good quarterback. Since falling to the bottom of the 1st round, where most of them usually are, is out of the question, his best bet is to team up with the #1 pick in the draft.

Is any of this even possible? Based on what Christopoulos says, it hinges on Harrison getting to the #5 spot in the top 10. That means the Arizona Cardinals at #4 will have either had to have taken Nabers instead or traded down with a team coming up for a quarterback. In that scenario, Poles could swing a trade with the Chargers at #5 to jump up for Marvin Harrison Jr. before he likely goes to the New York Giants at #6. Remember, the Bears have two 2nd round picks next year. They can afford to give up. Harrison is the rare caliber of prospect worth the risk.

He's been compared to A.J. Green and CeeDee Lamb—superstar material. Pairing him with D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen would be an all-time move for the Bears.