People Inside NFL Reportedly Believe It's Now "Likely" Bears Trade #1 Pick

The Chicago Bears were the talk of the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. That isn't a surprise. Everybody knows the situation at this point. They hold the #1 overall pick in the draft. What they decide to do with it could have massive ramifications for how the 1st round unfolds. Will they stay put and pick the best defender on their board? Will they trade Justin Fields and take the best quarterback on their board? Those are two possibilities, but nobody believes either outcome happens.

Fans and the media have speculated for months that GM Ryan Poles and the team brass prefer to trade the pick for additional assets. They don't need a QB, thanks to the presence of Justin Fields. This team is rebuilding. More draft picks would allow them to accelerate the reconstruction of the roster. Now after a stellar showing by the quarterbacks at the scouting combine, the belief that the #1 pick will be moved has spread to people inside the NFL itself. Ian Rapoport confirmed this.

The Chicago Bears have no shortage of suitors.

One could argue that five teams in the top 10 alone have a case for moving up for a quarterback. That doesn't include the Tennessee Titans at #11, who are stuck in the same division as the rapidly rising Trevor Lawrence. Only one of those teams has to make the offer Poles is looking for. It seems more than plausible it will happen, what with Houston sitting at #2. Everybody knows they're taking a quarterback. If you don't want to risk them getting your guy, you know who to call.

Poles has no reason to rush. He can take this all the way into the draft if he wants. The longer he waits, the more desperate teams should become. They will be left to stew over a simple dilemma. Stay put and pray the guy they want somehow slips by Houston or purchase a guarantee. All of this will happen while understanding the likelihood that other teams are considering the same possibility. Even if you decide to stay put, that doesn't mean they will do the same. It is this level of heightened paranoia that will work in the Chicago Bears' favor.