Every sign at the moment points to the Chicago Bears keeping the #1 pick this year. Still, they’ve already traded it once. GM Ryan Poles has said he will keep his options open right up until the start of the draft. That means other teams have until then to make him an offer he can’t possibly say no to. While the Bears are sure to get strong offers from teams like Washington, New England, Denver, and Las Vegas, it’s hard to imagine any of them will be blockbuster enough to convince Poles he’d be smart to take it.
In these situations, the only thing that can alter the situation is a team that is desperate. History shows that only the organizations beset by a sense of urgency/panic will make the kind of offer that piques the Bears’ interest. Last year, that team was undeniably the Carolina Panthers. At first glance, people may think no such team exists this time. That isn’t true.
If the Chicago Bears have one possible sucker out there, it’s the Atlanta Falcons.
1. They will feel they have the offensive foundation
Let’s start with the simplest answer. Atlanta has built a strong roster on the offensive side of the ball over the past three years. Tight end Kyle Pitts, wide receiver Drake London, and running back Bijan Robinson were all 1st round picks. All have proven to be playmakers. They also have a reliable offensive line in place. If ever there was a setup for a young quarterback to step into, that would be hard to beat. Williams could be effective right out of the gate, being able to lean on those talents for help.
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2. GM Terry Fontenot is on the hot seat
Fontenot arrived in 2021 hoping to rebuild the Falcons after their slow decline from that Super Bowl defeat in 2016. Unfortunately, he’s failed at two key responsibilities. He didn’t find the right head coach. Arthur Smith was fired after his third straight 7-10 season. He also has failed to secure a capable quarterback. His biggest swings, Marcus Mariota and Desmond Ridder, were flops. Everybody knows how much heat is on him now. It is hoped new head coach Raheem Morris is the right man for the job, but it won’t matter if Fontenot can’t find the quarterback. It’s almost the exact same situation Scott Fitterer was in with the Panthers last year.
2. Owner Arthur Blank is running out of time
Always look to the owner when determining which teams are desperate. With Carolina, it was the notoriously impatient David Tepper. With the Falcons, it is Blank. His reason for urgency isn’t the same as Tepper’s. Blank turns 82 years old in September this year. There is no telling how much time he has left. The man is desperate to win a Super Bowl before it’s too late, and he can’t do that without a quarterback. He understands its importance better than anybody after the Ryan years. Unlike most other owners who have the benefit of time, Blank may encourage his front office to swing for the fences with a massive offer to the Chicago Bears for Williams.
