Chicago Bears Reportedly Might Not Be Done Adding Weapons

Trading for Keenan Allen was a strong statement from GM Ryan Poles. He intends to have this offense as loaded as possible for the young quarterback the Chicago Bears are expected to draft at #1 overall. The six-time Pro Bowl might be 31 years old, but he's still outstanding on the field. Even if they only get two more great years from him, it will be worth it. However, Poles has a responsibility to always think beyond the next season. He must think two or three years down the road. While Allen should help this coming season, there are no guarantees beyond that.

As stated above, he turns 32 this year. On top of that, he will be a free agent next spring. While the Bears could sign him to a minor extension at some point, they run the risk of their receiving corps becoming weaker after only one season. It is for this reason that Poles may have designs on doubling down at the position. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune has made it clear the Bears will likely take Caleb Williams #1 overall. When it comes to the #9 pick, he seems confident of what they will do if the board falls the right way.

They will take another receiver.

I think WR2 is a need when you project ahead, knowing Allen is 32 and on a one-year deal. You can make a case center is a need if you’re not high on the combination of Ryan Bates and Coleman Shelton, but No. 9 is certainly not territory to draft a center. Defensive tackle feels like it’s on the border of need/want as well, and No. 9 might be too rich for any of the prospects at that position.

So, where does that leave Ryan Poles as preparation ramps up for the April 25-27 draft? I laid out four scenarios for the No. 9 pick in a column last week after the trade for Allen. The fourth option would open a host of additional possibilities as it would involve a trade down.

I would not rule out the possibility of a wide receiver at No. 9...

...It’s my hunch that Nabers and Odunze will be high enough on the Bears board to be very much under consideration if either slides to the ninth pick. In fact, they’re so attractive that my guess is Ryan Poles would not pull the trigger on a trade of the ninth pick until he’s on the clock unless he has an offer in front of him that is simply too good to pass up.

This would be an out-of-character move by the Chicago Bears.

History says after the trade for Allen and taking a quarterback, it is almost a foregone conclusion they take a pass rusher. Remember, their head coach is a defensive guy. This team's identity has always been driven by defense. There was only one instance in Bears history where their first pick was a QB, and the second was a receiver. That was in 1987 with Jim Harbaugh and Ron Morris. Those two were the 26th and 54th picks, respectively. This would be on a far grander scale with #1 and #9.

One thing is for sure. If it plays out that way, nobody can offer any credible argument that Poles didn't do everything in his power to make his next quarterback successful. He drafted an offensive tackle with his 1st round pick in 2023 after trading down from #1 to collect wide receiver D.J. Moore. He trades for Allen in March. Now, if he lands Nabers or Odunze at #9, this could be the most talented receiving corps any Chicago Bears quarterback has ever had. While it may hamper the defense on the pass rush front, it would certainly give Williams or whoever else every opportunity to find success.