It’s way too early to determine what happens in April for the Chicago Bears. Everybody knows they hold the #1 pick. They also know there is a strong possibility GM Ryan Poles will decide to trade it. He only requires a quarterback-needy team ready to give up a strong package for the rights. Most predictions point at the Indianapolis Colts as the team to watch. They have the #4 overall pick. GM Chris Ballard is under a lot of pressure to find a QB after his expensive Carson Wentz and Matt Ryan failures. He has an established relationship with Poles. It makes sense. It comes down to whether one of these 2023 quarterbacks can sway him into making a move.
Colts analyst Landon Oliver of The Blue Stable has heard the speculation. Some feel Alabama’s Bryce Young is the guy. Others think the toolsy Will Levis of Kentucky is the traits-based prospect Ballard would love. However, Oliver doesn’t believe either will end up being the target.
What he says is true. Stroud isn’t a natural runner, but he’s a solid pocket passer with size, arm strength, and accuracy. His performance against Georgia was the best of his college career in the biggest game he has ever played. It isn’t hard to see the appeal.
If true, the Chicago Bears’ goal is clear.
Presuming Oliver is correct and Indianapolis develops a love for Stroud, it falls to Poles to drop every hint possible that the Texans will likely take him at #2. That will increase their urgency to move up. If Houston does indeed come to like Stroud, they, too, will be compelled to move up. That would create a bidding war. On the other hand, the Texans could also work the rumor mill suggesting they like Stroud. Getting the Colts to move up would hurt their draft coffers while allowing the quarterback they actually like to fall into their laps.
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They don’t call it lying season by accident. This is the time of year when deception is everything. Mask your true intentions at all costs. The Chicago Bears should flood the airwaves with as much misinformation as possible. If they can get one of those teams in the top 10 to panic about losing out on their quarterback of choice, they’ll get the trade offer they’re looking for. Ballard and the Colts are the most obvious target. He is under tons of pressure from ownership and can’t afford to let a division rival steal whichever quarterback he believes can turn a franchise around. If that is Stroud, so be it.
