Chicago Bears

Sucks missing out on MHJ but I would be totally fine with this

TLDR - Bears use Panthers pick at #1 to take QB Caleb Williams, and then used their own #5 to trade down and select ED Dallas Turner.

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1. Chicago Bears (via 1-9 CAR)

Yates: We might look back at Chicago's decision to trade down with Carolina in March as one of the most impactful of recent years. Not only did the Bears bring in extra picks and a WR1 in DJ Moore, they also landed this projected No. 1 pick in 2024 -- a massive coup. And while quarterback Justin Fields has had moments of promise, our FPI projects the Bears' own pick to be No. 5 overall. If that happens, it's unlikely Fields showed dramatic improvement over the rest of the season, meaning a reset at quarterback is probably in play.

Miller: Yup, if the Bears don't turn things around, Fields is likely gone, and the front office will look to reset the quarterback clock. Let's remember that general manager Ryan Poles didn't draft Fields and must make a decision after this season on the quarterback's fifth-year option. To date, Fields hasn't shown enough to be paid like a top-tier quarterback, and the opportunity to draft a younger player with more promise (who also happens to be much cheaper) is super intriguing.

And we haven't even gotten to USC's Caleb Williams yet, widely seen not only as the No. 1 prospect in this class and also a generational prospect. He's a franchise-changer. Look at what C.J. Stroud has done in his first season in Houston; Williams can be that and more for the Bears.

Reid: If Fields does play well over the Bears' final six games -- he looked good on Sunday against the Lions -- but the team continues to lose, it makes for an even more interesting decision for Poles. He has to weigh all of his options. But how can you pass up Williams?

Yes, he still has to clean up some bad habits in the pocket, but his improvisational skill and arm talent are outstanding. And his mobility and playmaking could mask a lot of the Bears' deficiencies elsewhere. Williams ranks second in the nation in passing (3,633 yards) and has thrown 30 touchdown passes -- including an FBS-leading 11 from outside the pocket.

Yates: The Bears should be able to recoup a little bit of draft capital for Fields, too. While his inconsistency as a thrower is part of why they are in this spot, his mobility and flashes will have some allure to other teams, whether it be as a starter or backup. He would cost a team about $3.2 million for 2024, a totally reasonable cost.

Miller: And there would be a market for him. Just look at how many teams outside the top two picks have a need at the position and won't be able to fill it with a premium player. I love the Falcons for him if they're not in play to draft one of the top QBs. Fields is from Georgia and originally played for the in-state Bulldogs. And if Arthur Smith is back as coach, Fields fits the RPO-heavy offense Smith was running as the offensive coordinator in Tennessee and earlier last season with Marcus Mariota. Tampa Bay, Las Vegas, Minnesota and maybe even Pittsburgh could theoretically get involved if Fields were to become available.

Reid: I think we're all in agreement here. Williams is special and has the talent to eventually change the trajectory of a franchise. And while Chicago moved back this past spring when it had the No. 1 pick, there just isn't a scenario where any trade offer would make me trade back this time.

Our pick for the Bears: Caleb Williams, QB, USC

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2. Giants - QB Luke Maye

3. Cardinals - WR Marvin Harrison Jr.

4. Patriots - LT Olu Fashanu

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5. Chicago Bears (3-8)

Yates: We already got the Bears a quarterback in Williams, which means they have the luxury of flexibility here. If they're enamored with someone, they can submit the card. But this also feels like a potential trade-down spot. The next best player in my eyes is Joe Alt, the hulking Notre Dame left tackle, but Chicago has a promising young player in Braxton Jones already entrenched at that position. And since Poles already has shown the openness to move down, I wouldn't be shocked if Chicago did it again to quickly fetch back more capital.

Reid: I agree, Field. Poles likes to accumulate picks and move around at the top of the draft, and this scenario would be no different than in the past. If the Bears stay home, though, it likely would be Alt vs. Alabama pass-rusher Dallas Turner, right? And with the solid play of Jones and the use of a top-10 pick on Darnell Wright in April, the Bears would probably stay away from offensive tackle, meaning they could use this pick to continue building up the defense. The Montez Sweat deadline deal helps, but this team still needs pass-rushers. Chicago ranks last in the NFL again with 15 sacks.

Miller: What about my guy Keon Coleman, the Florida State receiver? He's 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, explosive after the catch and so physical at the catch point that he will be a red zone safety valve wherever he ends up. The Bears have Moore and tight end Cole Kmet, along with a backfield full of potential starters, but Coleman would round out this group and give Williams a true trio of pass-catchers to grow around.

Reid: I don't know ... Turner lined up on the other side from Sweat is very, very enticing. He is still raw, but he generates pressure (15.5% pressure rate, seventh best in the FBS) and produces (seven sacks). He fits the Bears' timeline, too, as he could grow with a relatively young defense and turn into a key part of the team's future.

Yates: I'm intrigued by the Coleman idea, but Jordan has a point here. When the Bears made the move for Sweat, part of the calculus was that it would be slim pickings at the top of Round 2 (where the traded pick was) for pass-rushers. Juxtapose that to the wide receivers in this class, and it makes all the sense in the world to take the clearest potential difference-maker at edge rusher in Turner now. A legitimate receiver could still be there when Chicago picks next because of that position's depth.

Miller: OK, this does make sense. I'd rather Chicago walk away with my top-ranked edge-rusher (position of need) and grab a receiver in Round 3 than get Coleman here and be without a high-end pass-rusher. I'm won over on Turner.

Reid: Wow, this is the easiest draft room to sway. I thought I'd get more pushback on that.

Our pick for the Bears: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama

Dream draft is obviously Caleb and MHJ. But if MHJ isn’t available at 4, I would rather trade down. Some team in sure would love Penix or something.

I think if Arizona remains in top 5 they definitely grab MHJ if they cant get Williams or Maye. As for our pick at 5, in that situation id hope Poles trades back like he did last year and maybe we can recoup a 2nd rounder or something. With MHJ and the one tackle off the board i think we trade back a little since i dont think there will be that much of a drop in talent from 5 to say 10 or 12. And IF Fields plays well and we still get nunber 1 id look to trade with maybe Arizona to let them jump Giants for Williams and then we take MHJ at 3.

They don't go into detail on what we could get for Fields - getting a second round pick would certainly help us not feel compelled to trade down from 5 and take BPA.

That'd be fine. I'm currently indifferent about Caleb but understand the strategy of resetting the clock with a rookie contract.

Verse or Turner at 5 both seem like smart plays

$10.99 for espn+?! Good lord!

I don’t want Williams… keep Fields under a coach that will plan around him…. Give me MHJ and the best pass rusher.

Give me MHJ at 1 and fashanu at 5

I’m up for a QB but what do we do with fields? let him start for the year, trade him? Feel like it’s kinda dumb to just chuck up the peace sign at him

If patriots end up with the 4th pick, I could easily see them giving up a haul for that number 1 pick. Should be very interesting to see what Poles would do in that situation

I don’t like Williams. His attitude and character are just piss poor. Especially, after what his dad said where he wants ownership stake in the team that drafts him and he will go back to school depending on who has the first overall pick. A bad team is going to draft him and his attitude is going to get worse and he’s not the type of guy to rally a losing team around him. He may be great but I’d rather have Maye than him.

Where do they have Bowers being drafted?

I would be underwhelmed by this outcome, personally. I like Caleb more than most Bears fans it seems, so I have no issue with that pick. But I don’t believe there’s an edge rusher in this draft worth a top 10 pick. It feels like a missed opportunity to not support your new QB in a draft with some of the best Offensive talent in recent years. Bowers, Nabers, Coleman, Odunze would all make more sense, ideally in a trade down scenario for some of them. I wouldn’t hesitate to take Bowers 5th though, if that’s where we end up.

It's honestly just kind of funny how adverse this sub is to drafting the best prospect we've ever had the chance to draft in the most important position in the game.

What do we think we could get in return for trading Justin?

I 100% see a scenario in which New England trades up for #1 and we get a Carolina-esque type of return. I’d love to snag Barmore and picks to draft MHJ and either Fashanu, Alt, or an edge rusher. AZ will end up drafting 4th.

Fucking page is broken - I have espn+ and I'm logged in but I still keep getting the "get espn+" block on this article

Williams looked really bad recently. Bears will be a bag holder.

I consider myself a Fields-truther, but I think what they have laid out here is the best option, with one caveat. They need to get an offensive-minded head coach and people around them that have a track record of developing quarterbacks.

Starting fresh with a talented QB and a new offense-first coaching staff is more appealing to me than keeping Fields with the current staff or a new staff with yet another scheme to learn.

Still confused why Bears couldnt keep Fields and take a QB w/ 1.1?

What on earth is the point of a WR so high with a QB that doesn’t throw? I mean what? What?!

I understand where people are coming from in the desire to trade up to MHJ, but I don't see Poles doing that. He really covets picks, so I'd be shocked if he traded up. If he is as sold on MHJ as we are, then it's possible, but I won't hold my breath for that with Poles at the helm.

The answer is Bo Nix

MHJ is the best player in theory. Although Caleb and Maye could end up more valuable. I don't think Poles can justify having the number 1 pick two years in a row and not taking a QB. (When you don't have a no doubt franchise guy)

Caleb Williams threw for 4500 yards with only Jordan Addison, as a 2nd year player. Only 1 OL drafted and it was a 7th round guard. Yeah he hasn't had as good of a year this year. I agree some of the off field stuff wasn't my favorite.

USC isn't some superstar loaded team. They suck. Their OL is terrible. Their skill positions aren't that great. Some Bears fans wouldn't know talent at QB if it smacked them in the face.

I got a feeling that Williams is going to be a Manziel-esque bust.

Maybe fields continues to struggle closing games and throwing from the pocket and we get the chance at caleb and mhj. He only won one game all year, or one in his last like 17 games, so it's possible.