The Chicago Bears aren’t joking around. Every indication to this point in the offseason suggests they plan to make a splash at quarterback. Matt Nagy himself even hinted as much in a recent interview. The general feeling inside Halas Hall is this team is a good QB away from contending in the NFC. It’s just a matter of whether they can land somebody.
Thus far the focus has centered around the veteran market. No surprise. When names like Deshaun Watson, Dak Prescott, Derek Carr, and Carson Wentz might be up for grabs? That is where full attention must be paid. However, there is a general pessimism that the Bears will be able to land any of them. Both because some may not end up being available or the team just can’t muster a strong enough package to get them.
That is why a number of insiders believe GM Ryan Pace will end up shifting focus to the NFL draft with the idea of jumping up in the 1st round for a coveted prospect. There is no way to know who that name might be. However, another important key to such an idea if finding teams that may be willing to move down. Here are four that stand out the most.
Chicago Bears have a few spots they will be eyeing for trade ups
Cincinnati Bengals (#5)
The Bengals selected Joe Burrow #1 overall last season. So they have their quarterback. Their big issues is the roster around him now. Especially the offensive line. They need picks to fill the depth chart out with help. Duke Tobin hasn’t always been prone to moving around the board in the 1st round but he has done it. In 2018, he dropped from the 12th pick to the 21st in exchange for left tackle Cordy Glenn and a 5th rounder.
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The problem here is the cost. While the #5 spot probably guarantees them the #4 or even #3 QB on the board, the price paid will be heavy. Probably their 2nd round pick this year, 1st round pick next year, and 2nd round pick next year at least. Maybe the Bears can throw a player into the mix to lighten the hit but that is hard to project.
Philadelphia Eagles (#6)
Unlike Tobin, Eagles GM Howie Roseman never met a trade he didn’t like. He’s moved around the board quite a bit during his time in Philly. That includes moving down in both 2014 (22nd to 26th) and 2018 (32nd to 52nd). With either Carson Wentz or Jalen Hurts likely to be the starting quarterback moving forward, Philadelphia can focus on other roster needs, and they have quite a few.
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Pace and Roseman have done some business with each other before. The Bears sent both Deiondre Hall and Jordan Howard to the Eagles for late round picks in 2018 and 2019. Then last year the Bears jumped from the 6th round back into the 5th round to grab Darnell Mooney. That familiarity could make communicating a deal easier.
With Detroit (#7), Carolina (#8), and Denver (#9) all possibly needing quarterbacks, this will be a sweet spot for the Bears to jump.
Dallas Cowboys (#10)
Jerry Jones has owned the Cowboys for over 30 years now. He’s been the de factor GM for that team the entire time. Rest assured he’s made every kind of trade in the 1st round there is, including no fewer than six moves down the board since 1995. He especially likes it when a future 1st round pick is involved, so one can bet that will be where the Bears need to start with an offer.
With Dak Prescott unlikely to go anywhere, Dallas has no pressing quarterback need. However, the 49ers lurk a couple of spots later at #12. There is speculation they’re considering a move beyond Jimmy Garoppolo and may seek that option in the draft. With the New York Giants (#11) having not traded a 1st round pick since 2006? Dallas is the team to call.
Minnesota Vikings (#14)
This is probably the last feasible spot worth trading up to before it becomes kind of pointless. Vikings GM Rick Spielman loves moving down in the 1st round. He’s done it four times during his tenure. Stockpiling picks is his long-established approach. Not only that but he’s actually done some trading with the Chicago Bears as recently as last year when Chicago jumped back into the 5th round by offering their future 4th for Trevis Gipson.
Minnesota sits in a notable spot. The New England Patriots are the 15th pick. Cam Newton will be a free agent and likely not return. So Bill Belichick and company are likely hunting for their next quarterback. If one of the top four guys somehow slip out of the top 10 and the 49ers pass? That will be the team to watch and the team the Bears need to get in front of.