Last week, I did an article about the best trade partner for the Chicago Bears if they wish to move down from #10 overall. I pinpointed the Miami Dolphins, pinpointing a regime under immense pressure to win and a glaring need for help at left tackle. That might be changing. As I stated before, finding a good trade partner depends on circumstances. The organization must be motivated to solve a big problem on their roster and likely know they can't find a solution unless they move up.
While Miami is still in the conversation, the crown might be shifting over to the Pittsburgh Steelers. They find themselves in dangerous territory. Despite making the playoffs last year, they have lost both of their prominent quarterbacks. Justin Fields went to the New York Jets, and Russell Wilson signed with the Giants. Pittsburgh has no definitive starter. Hopes remains high that they can lure Aaron Rodgers to Pittsburgh, but Adam Schefter of ESPN just poked serious holes in that plan.
The Chicago Bears could be the beneficiary of this shift.
If Rodgers retires, Pittsburgh will be left in the lurch. They cannot sell Rudolph as their starter in 2025, and free agency is barren. Teddy Bridgewater? Carson Wentz? Even the Steelers can't sell that. They will have to find a solution in the draft, and everybody agrees this is a weak class. Nobody of note will likely be available at the 21st pick. So either the Steelers take a complete shot in the dark, hoping for a miracle, or they do the only thing they can, which is moving up the board.
GM Ryan Poles has already done trade business with Pittsburgh before. There was the Chase Claypool trade in 2022 and the Fields one last year. He and Steelers GM Omar Khan have a strong line of communication. Pittsburgh should be able to work something out if the Chicago Bears are open to moving down, which seems like the case. Projections are it will likely cost a future 1st round pick and one or two day two and three picks. It all depends on which quarterbacks might still be on the board at #10.
