The Super Bowl is over. This is where the real fun begins for Chicago Bears fans. Around this time every year, the rumors start flying about the upcoming NFL draft. Since they hold the #1 overall pick, it's only natural the Bears would be the focal point. Most discussions center around whether GM Ryan Poles will trade the pick. It makes sense. Chicago is in rebuild mode. More picks would help move that process further. The best way to do that is by auctioning off the first pick to the highest bidder. For that to happen, they need help from the 2023 quarterback class.
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay lit the fuse on that powder keg when he openly stated his team intended to draft a quarterback. Not only that, but he also heavily implied interest in Alabama star Bryce Young. NFL insider Benjamin Allbright shed some light on those statements by dropping two significant hints about what's really going on.
1. Young is not the QB Irsay actually wants.
2. Houston is expected to select Young at #2 overall.
If not Young, then who might the Colts owner covet?
Current rumblings are that Kentucky quarterback Will Levis is quietly climbing boards. Both Pro Football Focus and local Chicago insider David Kaplan echoed the same thing. There is a growing belief he could be the first quarterback taken, and it likely will be at #1 overall. This may surprise some, considering the hype around Young and Ohio State standout C.J. Stroud. In truth, Levis is the most talented quarterback in the class. Many have compared him to Josh Allen. He has that kind of size and arm strength.
The Chicago Bears can also see what Irsay is doing.
Poles isn't dumb. He's played the lying season game before. If anything, the owner's lack of subtlety did more harm than good. Now everybody knows Young is almost sure not to be the quarterback Indianapolis wants. GM Chris Ballard is known for being a "traits" guy. When drafting a player, he will bet on elite physical traits. If that holds true, then Levis is the obvious target. Every team knows they'll have to get in front of at least the Colts at #4 to have a shot at him. While Allbright says the Texans are eyeing Young, things can change. If those teams fear Houston may opt for Levis instead, then there is only one course of action.
They must get the Chicago Bears #1 pick. It's a reminder of how complex draft season truly is. Poles must play his cards carefully. One misstep can lead to whatever market he may have for the pick falling apart. Thus far, he has done well. He has committed one way or another to anything, leaving all doors open. He even admitted there is a possibility the Bears could trade Justin Fields and take a quarterback at #1. That sense of the unknown often drives other teams to get aggressive in trades.
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