With the top pick in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft, it has been widely assumed that the Chicago Bears would select quarterback Caleb Williams and potentially trade Justin Fields. However, just days before the NFL Combine, seasoned journalist Peter King dropped hints in his farewell column that a significant departure from this expectation could be in the works.
Having dedicated nearly five decades to sports reporting, King announced his retirement from the industry in his Sunday night column. Amidst reflections on his cherished memories and the pinnacle of his career, the esteemed NFL reporter also divulged insights into the most amiable NFL players he has had the privilege to interview.
Despite his skepticism towards NFL mock drafts and the limited information available in February regarding the NFL Draft, the experienced NFL insider, who possesses reliable sources within the league, put forth an intriguing theory concerning the Chicago Bears’ approach to the No. 1 overall pick and their quarterback, Justin Fields.
In his column, Peter King speculated that the Bears are likely to trade the coveted first overall pick. While acknowledging his lack of concrete knowledge, the well-connected reporter noted that there appears to be a growing trend towards the Bears moving down from the top spot, as evidenced by the prevailing winds within the NFL Combine.
“I suppose the Bears are going to trade the top pick. I know nothing, but that seems to be the way the wind is blowing. What I say: The Bears could keep Justin Fields (and should), and trade the first pick down once or twice, and build the kind of supporting cast a team needs to contend. Suppose GM Ryan Poles traded the top pick down one spot to Washington (which would take Caleb Williams), and got the second pick, a second-round pick and a 2025 first-round pick in return. Then suppose Poles traded the second pick to Atlanta at eight, and the Falcons picked one of the other quarterbacks. In return, Chicago gets the eighth pick, Atlanta’s second-round pick, and first- and second-round picks next year.”
there is speculation about the Chicago Bears potentially engaging in trade discussions with the Washington Commanders. This hypothetical trade scenario would involve the Bears trading down from their current position, acquiring the second overall pick and a 2025 first-round pick from Washington. While this would be an unprecedented decision, it would provide the Bears with a valuable collection of draft assets.
If this trade were to occur, the Bears would have multiple high draft picks in 2024 and three first-round picks in 2025. However, it’s important to note that this strategy would come with significant risks. The early assessments of the 2025 quarterback class are not favorable, which means the Bears would be taking a chance by potentially passing on a highly talented quarterback in the current year’s draft and having to rely on a potentially weaker class in 2025.
In addition to the risks involved, trading down twice would also increase the pressure on Justin Fields, especially considering the uncertainty surrounding the Chicago Bears’ decision on exercising his fully guaranteed fifth-year option. However, if both the front office and the locker room have full confidence in Fields as the long-term face of the franchise, then executing such a trade strategy could be the best course of action for the Bears.
While Peter King’s suggestion may be speculative in nature, the fact that it was included in his final column before the NFL Combine, along with the notion that trading the first overall pick is gaining momentum, adds an extra layer of intrigue to the top of the 2024 NFL Draft. The possibility of such a trade scenario adds to the anticipation and speculation surrounding the upcoming draft.
