Chicago Bears hearing offers for No. 1 pick in 2023 NFL Draft, 'leaning toward' trade
The Chicago Bears are officially hearing offers for their No. 1 pick on the 2023 NFL draft board. ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter reported multiple sources telling him that the NFC North squad is “leaning toward” moving the highly valuable selection.
“The Bears already have been approached by multiple teams about trading the draft’s No. 1 overall pick, and Chicago is said to be “leaning toward” moving the pick,” Schefter shared on Monday. “So the No. 1 pick now looks like it’s for sale.”
According to ESPN, since 1967, the No. 1 pick has been traded 12 times before the start of the draft. It last happened in 2016, when the Rams moved from No. 15 to No. 1, ultimately drafting Jared Goff. In 2001, the Atlanta Falcons moved up from No. 2 to draft Michael Vick first overall.
Fields locked in with Chicago
The Bears’ decision would not only have an immediate impact on whichever team gets the No. 1 overall pick. It also greatly impacts quarterback Justin Fields. Fields, a former first-rounder out of Ohio State, will most likely be solidified as the Chicago starter for seasons to come if they go through with the move.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler believes the Bears like what they saw from Fields in 2022, despite their 3-14 record.
“They say, look, this is a player who kept them in games they had no business staying in last year,” Fowler said on SportsCenter.
In January, Bears GM Ryan Poles reaffirmed his commitment to Fields. He said he would have to be “blown away” to draft a quarterback prospect in April.
“We have flexibility where if there are opportunities where if we can turn that into a lot of players that come in and help us, we can do that,” Poles said. “If it’s staying put or really being selective with certain people, we can do that as well. I know my expectation, our expectation, is that we move the needle to be more successful. We can win some of these close games and bring in guys that can impact this football team.”
As for which team will nab the No. 1 pick from Chicago, there is no shortage of interest. The Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Las Vegas Raiders, Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons all have good reason to check with the Bears on the price tag.