The Chicago Bears know they’re taking a quarterback at #1 overall. Nobody disputes that. Everything points to Caleb Williams becoming the next franchise guy for them. After that, it becomes a waiting game to see who may or may not be available at #9. GM Ryan Poles has spent the past couple of weeks formulating various plans of action depending on how the board unfolds. Not too long ago, none of those plans would’ve involved star Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. Every single projection of the 2024 draft had him long gone before the Bears could ever dream of landing him. Those thoughts might have to change.
Something weird has been going on with Harrison throughout the past few months. Usually, a prospect spends the months of January through March preparing for key events such as the scouting combine and pro days. However, Harrison has done none of those things. He didn’t work out at the combine and did not show up on the Ohio State pro day. Right around the same time was when draft projections suddenly hinted at the possibility LSU’s Malike Nabers leapfrogging him to become the first receiver off the board on April 25th.
Big 10 analyst and insider of the Beyond The Big 10 podcast Joey Christopoulos believes all of this is by design. He’s heard whispers that Harrison is trying to weaken his draft stock. Why? He wants to play for the Bears. Christopoulos dropped his bombshell on Sports Talk Chicago with Mark Bergin.
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Such a move by Marvin Harrison Jr. can only be for one reason.
It isn’t sentimentality. He was born in Philadelphia and went to high school there. There is no hometown desire. It certainly isn’t franchise reputation. Chicago has one winning season since 2013 and doesn’t have a stellar track record for developing wide receivers. The only possible reason Harrison would want to come to the Bears is because he knows Williams is going there, too. He wants to go somewhere he can be assured of playing with a good quarterback. Since falling to the bottom of the 1st round, where most of them usually are, is out of the question, his best bet is to team up with the #1 pick in the draft.
Is any of this even possible? Based on what Christopoulos says, it hinges on Harrison getting to the #5 spot in the top 10. That means the Arizona Cardinals at #4 will have either had to have taken Nabers instead or traded down with a team coming up for a quarterback. In that scenario, Poles could swing a trade with the Chargers at #5 to jump up for Marvin Harrison Jr. before he likely goes to the New York Giants at #6. Remember, the Bears have two 2nd round picks next year. They can afford to give up. Harrison is the rare caliber of prospect worth the risk.
He’s been compared to A.J. Green and CeeDee Lamb—superstar material. Pairing him with D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen would be an all-time move for the Bears.
Joey christapoolus, a glorified ball boy says he heard the rumor. This will only be published on the mockery of all sports sites. And Joey’s youtube channel.
@timgjerde56 and @ManGod – I honestly think that the Chargers take Alt at #5. Remember, Harbaugh loves to build through the offensive line, and more importantly, so does his new offensive coordinator Greg Roman. I could then see them package the 4 from the Bears with their 2nd to move back into the first round and get Brian Thomas (Keenan Allen Light).
@ManGod Another point is that even a run-heavy offense needs the equalizer and a prominent one to threaten the secondary and MHJ is adept through all levels. But, I do think earlier draft suspicions that LAC is also considering Alt may mean MHJ falls a bit. Again, this is a Rubic’s Cube. Things have to twist absolutely right for this to happen. Or someone has a stroke during the draft and the guy running the card up picks up the wrong one…lol. God forbid anyone does have a stroke, but that’s how it seems to be falling.
The trade up seems unlikely since the ghost of Ryan Pace has been chased out of the building. MHJ is a great talent, but I think it is more likely to let the draft come to Poles. If he doesn’t make it, no skin of his nose. Since this year’s draft is light on draft picks, I just don’t think Poles is in any hurry to do this again next year. I think the extra #2 will be reserved for a deadline deal either because of injury or need. The Bears are far from a finished product. Keeping next years… Read more »
Really? Trade up to #5 with the Chargers after we just fleeced them for their #1 WR to draft arguably the best WR in this draft? What world are you living in where a team with J Herbert as QB lets their #1 WR go (one of the best in the game at that) and then trades down allowing the same team who scooped their #1 to now draft what many believe is the best WR to come out of college since Rice, Johnson, Green? Don’t you think J Harbaugh has his eyes set on getting a WR who many… Read more »