The Chicago Bears already hold four picks inside the top 75 of the 2025 NFL Draft. However, trading down would give the Bears even more ammunition to work with and a greater opportunity to plug more holes on their roster.
Chicago actually making a deal will come down to how to board shakes out. If their top targets are all gone, perhaps the Bears pivot and move down the board. Furthermore, rather than reaching at No. 10 for a player projected to go lower, they can gain even more capital while acquiring their target for a more apt cost.
There are plenty of layers and nuance that would go into a Bears trade down. But if Chicago decides to make a move, Usayd Koshul of 247Sports named the Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers as their most likely trade partners; in no particular order.
“The consensus surrounding Chicago is that if running back Ashton Jeanty (Boise State), defensive tackle Mason Graham (Michigan), or offensive tackles Will Campbell (LSU) and Armand Membou (Missouri) are on the board, the Bears will select one of four players,” Koshul wrote. “But if all four are off the board, a real possibility, the Bears could be forced to pivot in another direction.”
“In a draft class that isn’t very deep, moving down would mean the Bears likely collect some additional day two or day three picks in 2025. But if Poles and Ian Cunningham want, they could also collect some 2026 draft picks, further adding to the chest of future assets,” Koshul concluded.
Chicago Bears trade down
As mentioned, the NFL Draft itself will play the biggest role in determining the Bears’ fate. If one of their top prospects are on the board, the possibility may be too good to pass up. But in a 2025 class lacking top end talent but rich in depth, Chicago may prefer to take more than one swing at the draft pinata.
Say for example star running back Ashton Jeanty goes to the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 6. With a clear need for running back, the Bears could select whoever is No. 2 on their board. Maurice Jones-Drew of the NFL Network predicted they would take Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson with the pick. North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton has also largely been called the second-best back in the class.
Either could creep up into the back half of the first-round, but neither are seriously being considered as a top-10 draft pick. Chicago could buck conventional wisdom and fill their roster hole immediately. But the Bears spent all offseason allowing themselves to be more versatile in the draft. To then pigeonhole themselves into running back seems a bit counterproductive.
That same scenario could be used for offensive or defensive line or any position the Bears are targeting. As they prepare for the Ben Johnson era, the draft will be crucial in setting Chicago’s foundation. They need to find value in all of their picks, stocking their roster with talent across the board.
Who swings the deal?
All five of the teams listed would be trading up for different reasons. Furthermore, the actual trade packages are sure to vary for each team. But especially with the 2025 quarterbacks getting so much buzz leading up to the draft, Chicago’s No. 10 pick is only growing in value.
Rather than quarterback, the Cowboys would likely move up for Jeanty himself, in Koshul’s example. They’ve signed players like Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders in free agency, but they need a real running back to build around. It is fair to wonder though if Jeanty is available, would the Bears willingly give up the pick?
The Dolphins have been a playoff team under Mike McDaniel, but they haven’t done much more than simply making he dance. While they pick just three selections later, a move up the board ensures the Dolphins land a star player they hope will help get them over the hump.
Like the Bears, the Cardinals have plenty of draft capital to work with. They’re hoping to take an even further jump in year three of the Jonathan Gannon era. Landing an elite wide receiver to pair with Marvin Harrison Jr would certainly make Arizona more dynamic.
The Bengals managed to extend both of their star receivers in Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. But they’re a bit barren on the defensive side. Moving to the top 10 gives them a player to build around. In turn, the Bears would get a number of mid-round picks as the Bengals would be jumping up from No. 17.
While Aaron Rodgers seemed destined to land with the Steelers, an agreement has yet to come to fruition. Instead, they can make an aggressive move for quarterback Shedeur Sanders and move into the first-round. QB needy teams would be the easiest targets for Chicago to trade down with.
The Bears will examine all of their options before making a decision on their No. 10 pick. The entire franchise understands how crucial this draft is and knows Johnson’s tenure in the Windy City will always be tied to their 2025 class.
Chicago Bears’ Caleb Williams dealt eye-opening ‘celebrity’ take
Read MoreFor More Great Chicago Sports Content
Get the latest Chicago sports news, analysis, and breaking stories on the Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks, Cubs, White Sox, Sky, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News, so you never miss a story on your favorite Chicago teams.
Follow us on Twitter at @chicitysports23 for more great content. We appreciate you taking time to read our articles. To interact more with our community and keep up to date on the latest in Chicago sports news, JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP by CLICKING HERE
