Bears Keeping QB Justin Fields; Will Chicago Trade No. 1 Overall in the 2023 NFL Draft?
According to reports, the Bears are expected to trade the No. 1 pick and keep quarterback Justin Fields. The news comes as little surprise, but a small chance did exist for Chicago to pull the plug on Fields. Now that it is settled, what teams could trade up for the top pick in the 2023 NFL Draft?
Appearing on the Rich Eisen show, Albert Breer reported that the Bears will keep Justin Fields as the starting quarterback. Breer stated that the Bears are open to evaluating top signal-callers in the 2023 NFL Draft but it really seemed like posturing for other teams. Franchises like the Colts, Raiders, and Panthers would be teams that could attempt a trade up with the Bears.
Bears Keep Justin Fields; Who Will Trade A King’s Ransom For No. 1 Pick In 2023 NFL Draft?
The Texans might take the bait and trade up one spot to guarantee they get the preferred rookie quarterback. It would be really embarrassing for the Texans to do this, as they won a game in the last week of the regular season to put them at the No. 2 spot, instead of one. It is unlikely but impossible to count out.
Team No. 1 – Indianapolis Colts
The Colts would have the easiest road to trading up for No. 1 because they have the No. 4 overall pick to offer in return. While they would obviously have to add a lot more NFL Draft capital, it could allow the Bears to get valuable extra picks, while still getting one of Jalen Carter or Will Anderson.
As a result of this, a trade between these two teams is the most likely to happen of the three. A trade between these two teams would include a swap of those picks, a future first, second, and possibly more. Getting a fair trade chart value return from the Colts would be a home run for the Bears.
Team No. 2 – Las Vegas Raiders
If the Raiders believe CJ Stroud or Bryce Young is the guy, they can go all in. As they have the No. 7 overall pick, it would require a haul. Vegas might have to give up its next three first-round picks (including the 2023 first-round pick) to get the Bears to jump on a deal. This is a bit pricy but the Raiders have a giant hole behind center, and still have weapon Davante Adams to help the new quarterback transition.
The Bears would be forced to settle for one of Tyree Wilson, Brian Bresee or Myles Murphy in this scenario, as Will Anderson and Jalen Carter will be gone by this point. This trade with the Raiders allows the Bears to have tremendous NFL Draft capital going forward.
Team No. 3 – Carolina Panthers
The Panthers are basically in the same boat as the Raiders, where they would have to give up the next three first-round picks to get up to No. 1. With the extra picks they have, it might make sense for them to go all-in on Young or Stroud as they could recapture some of it with their extra second this season.
Like a trade with the Raiders, the Bears would miss out on a top 2023 NFL Draft defensive prospect and will settle for one of Wilson, Bresee, or Murphy. A trade with the Panthers would be a haul and allow them to have multiple ways to continue the rebuild.
Most Likely Trade Option for the Bears:
The most likely option is the Colts. The Colts are the most likely to trade up in the 2023 NFL Draft considering it would also allow the Bears to take a Will Anderson or Jalen Carter, presumably. The draft value will be a little less than with other teams but this is the best situation for the Bears.