The stark contrast between the two Chicago Bears 1st round picks in the 2024 draft is wild. Everybody knows what they’re going to do at #1. They’re taking a quarterback, and it’s a 99% likelihood that will be Caleb Williams of USC. However, once the focus shifts to their pick at #9, it is a complete mystery. Nobody has a clue what GM Ryan Poles plans to do at that spot. He could go wide receiver, offensive line, pass rusher, or trade down to accumulate more picks. Most draft experts believe they plan to take a receiver if one of them gets to the 9th spot.
However, others are hearing differently. NFL Notifications on Twitter has posted accurate information quite a few times over the past year. That is why it was interesting when it revealed a big rumor that had just surfaced regarding the Bears.
An immediate response to this from doubters is there is no way this is true. More noise. Except there is actual evidence to back this up. A couple of weeks ago, the Bears released their first episode of 1920 Football Drive for this off-season. In it, cameras caught Poles watching monitors at the scouting combine, exclaiming his love for one of the prospects. People grew curious as to who he was talking about. After some sleuthing, it was discovered the clip came during the defensive line day of drills. Poles concluded the clip by saying, “If he’s there, we’ll take him.”
There is no other edge rusher he could’ve been talking about since many believe Dallas Turner will end up going 8th to the Atlanta Falcons, which would explain Poles’ comment.
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The Chicago Bears’ interest in Turner isn’t hard to understand.
Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune stated last month the team was searching for a speed rusher to complement Montez Sweat on the defensive line. Turner had the fastest 40 time at the scouting combine, demonstrating his natural explosiveness. Throw in his 34-inch arms and good bend and it’s easy to see the appeal. He finished with ten sacks last season for the Crimson Tide, looking like another in a long line of good pass rushers they’ve sent to the NFL. Among them include Will Anderson, Jonathan Allen, Derrick Thomas, Jarret Johnson, and Cornelius Bennett.
If Turner does get to #9, the Chicago Bears feel duty-bound to take him unless a team makes a strong offer for them to trade down. While lots of fans are hoping they take a receiver to help Williams, the fact is this team needs to keep the defense as strong as possible. They’re sitting in a division with Jared Goff and Jordan Love. Minnesota still has a ton of offensive firepower. Pairing Turner with Sweat would be a smart decision in almost any context. Such a strategy worked out well for Houston.
