New Patriots Head Coach Just Helped Chicago Bears' Trade Leverage

Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles stated that his decision regarding the #1 overall pick likely won't be made nearly as fast as last year when he traded it to Carolina on March 10th. There is a strong likelihood that this one will go all the way to April. That is for two reasons. The first is the strong possibility he decides to make a change at quarterback, moving off Justin Fields for one of the top names in the 2024 class. Or he feels the value of that pick will only increase as other teams become familiar with those quarterbacks, increasing its trade value.

Speaking of that, it appears the Bears won't have to work too hard in that regard. Jerod Mayo recently took over as head coach of the New England Patriots, replacing icon Bill Belichick. He sat down for an interview with CBS News Boston to talk about his new position. Inevitably, the conversation came around to the Patriots holding the #3 overall pick and what they might do with it. Mayo didn't even try being vague on the topic. He outright hinted the Patriots have every intention of taking a quarterback.

The Chicago Bears have even more trade leverage now.

Mayo's declaration makes it clear that any team picking below #3 will have to get in front of the Patriots if they want one of the top quarterbacks available. It is also true of Washington at #2. Everybody knows they are eyeing a quarterback, too. There is no chance they are sticking with Sam Howell. Not with a new GM and head coach. This means if Poles indeed floats the information that #1 is available, the bidding war could get insane. Teams will want to get in front of those two, while those two may have to pay a heavy price to jump into the #1 spot to ensure they get their preferred guy.

It reinforces the belief many experts have held since the season ended. The Chicago Bears are in a premium spot. They either get to select one of the top quarterbacks to come out this year in a draft many feel is loaded, or they will receive a monumental package of assets to sell their spot. Either way, Poles puts his team on a further trajectory towards contention. There should be clues of what they plan to do around the start of the off-season in mid-March.

Remember, the Bears received D.J. Moore, the 9th pick, a 2nd in 2023, a 1st in 2024, and a 2nd in 2025 for #1 last year. They'd likely receive substantially more this time around.