NFL executives are speculating that the Chicago Bears might trade down from their current position at pick #25, and there's a compelling reason behind this strategy. The Bears have been in unfamiliar territory lately, having missed the 20s in the first round since 2013. General Manager Ryan Poles has been accustomed to top-10 picks, but this year's draft presents a different challenge. With several players already selected before the Bears' turn, the team must decide whether to trust its evaluation skills or explore trading down.
But here's where it gets interesting. Some executives believe that trading down could be a strategic move for the Bears. The idea is to move back in the draft, potentially gaining extra picks in the third or fourth rounds. This approach could allow the Bears to target players they like without having to stick to their original pick. As one assistant general manager noted, "We would try to go back because if you’re at 25, yes, you like the fifth-year option if you’re staying in the first round, but if I can get an extra third- or fourth-round pick to go from 25 to 33, there’s a chance I get the same player, right?"
The Bears have a history of trading down, with GM Ryan Poles having done it twice in his stint. He traded down from #1 to #9 in 2023 and then from #9 to #10. This strategy can be risky, as it may result in missing out on good players entirely. However, in a draft class with limited blue-chip talent, trading down could be a sensible move to increase the team's inventory of picks and potentially find some good players. The key factor will be the perceived gap between the 25th and 35th picks, and whether the Bears believe they can get the same player at a later position.
The Bears have seven picks in this draft, and typically, GM Poles prefers to operate with more. Unless there's a can't-miss player at #25, trading down could be the logical move. This draft is known for its depth rather than star power, so adding extra selections gives the Bears more opportunities to find starters. However, finding a trade partner will be the tricky part, as teams often trade up for quarterbacks or offensive playmakers. The Bears will need to carefully consider their options and make a decision that best serves their team's needs.
