Every year, the NFL holds the annual Owners Meetings in Orlando, Florida. Various rule changes are discussed and teams get a chance to further communicate with each other before the NFL draft. One would think this is a premium opportunity for GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus to get the lay of the landscape ahead of what will be a pivotal 1st round for the franchise. It's the first time in over 20 years they've held two 1st round picks in the same draft and the first since 1979 that both were in the top 10.
There is a chance for this to become one of the biggest drafts in franchise history despite the Bears only holding four picks. Yet something puzzling emerged from the event. Poles and Eberflus weren't there. The league takes group photos of every GM and head coach every year. The Bears reps were there in 2023 and 2024. For some reason, neither of them were present this year. It is hard to understand why this could be. Maybe it was a travel issue, but that seems unlikely.
It wasn't a pro day since none were held this weekend. Some other business is going on, and it's interesting to wonder what it could be.
The Chicago Bears might be doing something important.
Excited fans may wonder if they're deep in discussions on a potential trade of some kind. While fun to think about, it seems unlikely. They won't trade the #9 pick until the 1st round has begun. As for #1 overall, there have been no warning signs such a possibility is imminent. Maybe Poles had done a good job of keeping it quiet, but logic says this isn't trade-related. The only thing that makes sense where it would involve both the GM and the head coach is a private visit with a top draft prospect.
No, it's probably not Caleb Williams. Expectations are that won't happen for another week or two. Tony Pauline of Sportskeedia revealed the Chicago Bears were about to host star Georgia tight end for a visit. It could be him. He is a definite possibility for the #9 pick. It could be another of the quarterbacks as well. Clearly, the Bears didn't feel the need to make their presence known at the meetings. Whatever business being conducted down there was less important than what they're doing now.
Maybe details on that will emerge at some point.
