The Chicago Bears are once again sitting atop the NFL draft. Only this time, the expectation is the Bears will stand pat at No. 1 and select USC quarterback Caleb Williams.
While unlikely, there’s still a chance Chicago could trade the first overall pick. But in order for that to happen, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Bears would need a “historic haul of draft picks and overall compensation.” Per Rapoport’s source, it would have to be a “crazy offer.”
Then again, this could be general manager Ryan Poles doing his due diligence with all avenues relating to the first overall pick.
Last year, Chicago traded the top selection to Carolina for a package that included wide receiver DJ Moore, right tackle Darnell Wright, cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, the Panthers’ first-round pick in the 2024 draft and a 2025 second-rounder. While that was an impressive haul, especially considering that Carolina ended up with the No. overall pick, the Bears are going to need a lot more to move off of the top selection this time around.
That, of course, has to do with Williams, the clear-cut No. 1 prospect. If that first overall selection is up for sale, Chicago would have no shortage of suitors looking to move up — whatever it takes — to land who many believe to be a generational prospect.
Then again, if teams are willing to shell out historic draft capital for Williams, shouldn’t that indicate the Bears should stand pat and draft him?
