Chicago Bears' Came Close To Dealing #1 Pick To Another Team

The Chicago Bears got plenty of interest in the #1 pick as the off-season unfolded. Everybody remembers what happened. The Carolina Panthers began their full-court press around the NFL scouting combine. They haggled over the compensation for a time. Once they agreed to include wide receiver D.J. Moore in the package, GM Ryan Poles agreed to the deal. Carolina collected the #1 pick and a clear path to their new quarterback. Chicago got loads of extra picks to retool their roster and a young weapon for Justin Fields.

However, for a while, the Panthers weren't the only ones in hot pursuit of that spot. Reports surfaced that Houston was interested, but the other team that showed the most was the Las Vegas Raiders. Sitting at #7 overall, they had little chance of landing a top quarterback. Once Tom Brady retired, and it became clear a trade for Aaron Rodgers was unfeasible, they had to explore a move up. Ammunition wasn't a huge concern. However, things cooled once they heard the price tag, according to Tashan Reed and Jeff Howe of The Athletic.

"In the ensuing weeks, the Raiders explored trading all the way up to the No. 1 pick, then owned by the Bears, multiple league sources told The Athletic. They never made a formal offer, but they did find out what Chicago’s asking price would be: This year’s first- and second-round picks, two future first-round picks and another future second-round pick.

The Raiders deemed that price too steep, multiple league sources told The Athletic."

A week after the trade went down, Las Vegas opted to pursue veteran Jimmy Garoppolo instead.

The Chicago Bears weren't going to let time work against them.

It's possible Poles could've been patient with the trade, waiting things out to see if teams got more desperate. However, he also understood that could be a double-edged sword. There was a possibility teams might cool on the quarterbacks closer to the draft, robbing him of leverage. He wasn't willing to take that risk. So when Carolina put forward the offer he was looking for, there was little hesitation. He felt the Bears got excellent value in the deal. There is no looking back.

As for the Raiders, they'll be left wondering if they made the right call. They willingly unloaded a former Pro Bowl quarterback Derek Carr. Then they passed on a golden opportunity to secure the #1 overall pick. Two quarterbacks are expected to go at the top. Many expect at least one more will go before the top five are over. If any of those QBs end up becoming legitimate franchise guys, Las Vegas will be second-guessed for years to come for taking the safe road with Garoppolo.