The Chicago Bears traded the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL draft to the Carolina Panthers for a haul that included two first-round selections, two second-round picks and wide receiver DJ Moore.
Now, the Bears are still in a prime position at ninth overall to land a top prospect in the draft. And, if things go their way, they might be in a position to trade back a second time and secure more draft capital.
ESPN insider Todd McShay joined the “Waddle & Silvy Show,” where he hinted why general manager Ryan Poles isn’t done trading back.
“It wouldn’t shock me,” McShay said. “I already know they’ve made the one move to nine, but you’ve got Houston sitting there at 12 and a lot of rumors that they’re not going to take a quarterback at that No. 2 spot. They pick again at 12. Tennessee is at 11. If Houston doesn’t take a quarterback and one of the quarterbacks is still on the board when they get 9-10 in that range, they can be a team that tries to get up ahead of Tennessee to go get that quarterback.”
.@McShay13 hints at why the Ryan Poles isn't done trading back.
Listen to the entire interview w/@WaddleandSilvy & @TWaddle87
iphone: https://t.co/wW3aSvpdc4
Android: https://t.co/nhXkmZPVL2 pic.twitter.com/hNvY2sgh0G— ESPN 1000 (@ESPN1000) April 20, 2023
With the belief that there could be a later run on quarterbacks in the top 10, the Bears are in a great position to trade out of ninth overall.
“Moving down a couple more spots and getting maybe (Peter) Skoronski at that 12 spot or one of the three other tackles we talked about like Broderick Jones from Georgia, Paris Johnson from Ohio State or Darnell Wright from Tennessee.”
As for potential trade partners at No. 9, McShay specifically mentioned the Tennessee Titans, a team that could be looking to move up for a quarterback. They’re currently sitting at No. 11, where they could simply let a quarterback fall to them. But if they want to prevent other quarterback-needy teams from leapfrogging them, Tennessee could trade up with Chicago.
Another team McShay mentioned is the Houston Texans, a team with two first-round picks. While many expect the Texans to take a quarterback at No. 2, they could select the best defensive player on the board. If there is a late run on quarterbacks, Houston could use their No. 12 pick to move up — in front of the Titans — and select a quarterback.
While the Bears could certainly take a top offensive tackle at No. 9, Poles needs to continue to build this roster — and trading back for additional capital would be a solid move for this team.
