It is amazing how many people are convinced at this point that the Chicago Bears will trade up in the 1st round for a quarterback. It’s not a matter of if it happens. Just when. The established knowledge for this draft is a quarterback will go in the first three picks. After that, two of the top five prospects will remain. Presuming one of them is somebody GM Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy want, then it’s easy to see them being aggressive in their pursuit.
Who that quarterback is remains unclear. SM sources indicated they like Justin Fields of Ohio State. Putting that aside, there is a more pressing question that needs answering. How high must the Bears get in order to have a real shot at landing one of those guys? Most sources around the league have hinted it’ll have to be in the top 10. If this is true, one team is making it pretty obvious they’re ready to deal.
Panthers GM Scott Fitterer says he's talked to "at least five teams'' about trading back from the eighth pick. "We're very open to moving back,'' he said.
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) April 23, 2021
The Panthers might sit in the sweet spot.
At #8, they’re one slot in front of the Denver Broncos who are a threat to take a quarterback themselves despite their assurances they still like Drew Lock. None of the teams between #5 and #7 are expected to go QB. Unless somebody jumps even higher at #4 to Atlanta, then Carolina would indeed make sense. Scott Fitterer is a disciple of John Schneider in Seattle who’s notorious for moving down early in drafts.
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
With Sam Darnold in place as their new starting quarterback, it would make sense the Panthers wish to move down. The idea is to recoup the picks they lost in the trade to get him from New York. Not only that, but it seems Fitterer’s assessment of the 2021 draft class’s strengths line up with a move down being advisable.
Scott Fitterer says the deepest position in the draft are at press corner, offensive tackle and wide receiver. That falls right in the Panthers' wheelhouse of needs.
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) April 23, 2021
There is a strong belief that the Bears would have a nice option at one of those three positions with the 20th pick. So they are definitely in the conversation.
Chicago Bears waiting for the big reveal like everyone else
All the experts are saying the same thing at this point. The draft really starts at #3. It’s a foregone conclusion that Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson will go to the Jaguars and Jets respectively at #1 and #2. So everybody is waiting to see what the 49ers do at that third spot. Speculation is rampant. Mac Jones was an early favorite but now it feels like it could be any one of him, Justin Fields, or Trey Lance.
Whoever it ends up being will determine what happens next. Will the Atlanta Falcons take one of the remaining two at #4 overall? Nobody is certain on that but most think they’ll go for stud tight end Kyle Pitts instead. Cincinnati has Joe Burrow, Miami has Tua Tagovailoa, and Detroit doesn’t seem interested in going QB right now. They’re content with Jared Goff holding things down as they rebuild the roster.
If the two remaining QBs reach #8, things could get interesting.
As to the cost? That is pure speculation. Going by draft trade charts, the Chicago Bears should be able to get that high with their 2nd and 3rd round picks. However, it’s safe to say Carolina won’t move without the assurance of a future 1st rounder. So it comes down to which Day 2 pick Pace gives up along with #20 and a future 1st. Hopefully not much more than that. As much as they need a quarterback, this team is already light on long-term assets.
