Last week, using Pro Football Focus, we published an article regarding a Bears’ mock draft. I was very happy with how the mock went, but I was still curious about what the Bears could get in exchange for the first overall pick. Tom Brady’s retirement doesn’t seem like a big deal to the Bears, but it puts a couple of new teams in the sweepstakes for drafting a new quarterback. Here are three trades the Bears may closely resemble this off-season:
Scenario One:
Indianapolis Colts Receive: First Overall Pick, Cody Whitehair
Chicago Bears Receive: Fourth Overall Pick, 2024 First-Round Pick, 2024 Second-Round Pick, 2024 Fourth-Round Pick, Michael Pittman Jr.
To me, this is the best-case scenario for the Chicago Bears. The Indianapolis Colts are on a rapid decline, so their first and second-round picks for next season are guaranteed to have great value. With the Bears obtaining the fourth overall pick, it is likely that Will Anderson Jr. or Jalen Carter join the squad depending on who the Arizona Cardinals select third overall. The cherry on top of this trade is the acquisition of Michael Pittman Jr. Pittman has proven since he got drafted that he is a quality wide receiver. Pittman’s size and speed would pair perfectly with Justin Fields. To many’s surprise, Cody Whitehair was packaged with the first overall pick. Cody Whitehair has been great for the Bears in the past, but he’s constantly battling injury and getting up there in age. Dealing away Cody Whitehair allows more cap space and the possibility of signing a more healthy replacement.
Scenario Two:
Las Vegas Raiders Receive: First Overall Pick, 64th Overall Pick
Chicago Bears Receive: Seventh Overall Pick, 38th Overall Pick, 2024 First-Round Pick, 2025 Fifth-Round Pick, Davante Adams
With Derek Carr on his way out of Vegas, Raiders fans could only dream of a reunion between Head Coach Josh McDaniels and Tom Brady. Sadly, that dream has come to pass, and the Raiders are in desperate need of a quarterback before things turn south. The Bears trading down to the seven spot still puts them in great contention for Tyree Wilson or Bryan Breese. These two players may not have the same hype as Jalen Carter or Will Anderson Jr., but they are still phenomenal prospects. Acquiring the 38th overall pick also puts the Bears in a good position to draft a new fan-favorite: Cody Mauch. This trade’s biggest curveball is the Raiders moving Davante Adams. When Adams was dealt to Vegas last off-season, he signed a five-year extension with an annual salary of 28 million. To move a player with that large of a contract is out of the ordinary, but the Bears have the cap space to inherit it. The most surprising part of this trade would be seeing Davante Adams in a Bears uniform after spending the last five years torching us.
Scenario Three:
Carolina Panthers Receive: First Overall Pick, 103rd Overall Pick
Chicago Bears Receive: Ninth Overall Pick, 39th Overall Pick, 2024 First-Round Pick, 2024 Third-Round Pick, Brian Burns
Many Bears fans wouldn’t settle trading down to the Ninth overall pick, but Brian Burns is too good of a player to pass up. Drafting at nine gives the Bears the perfect opportunity to beef up their offensive line while also having the next edge rusher of the future – Brian Burns. Not to mention the Bears will also be supplied with the 39th overall pick and a plethora of others for the 2024 draft. I know that Carolina’s asking price for Brian Burns was very high during the trade deadline last season, but it is clear that they’re a franchise quarterback away from being a playoff team in the weak NFC South. Some may argue that Carolina’s DJ Moore would be a better pickup to boost the Bears’ receiver corps, but I believe Brian Burns excels more at his position, and DJ Moore’s inconsistency and size worry me.
Well, there it is Bears fans. Let me know in the comments below what your favorite of these three trades is, and if you have another trade idea feel free to type that as well. As always, a big thanks to the Pro Football Focus website; without it, none of this draft analysis would be possible. Stay safe everybody, and suit up for another six weeks of football weather.
