Behr-34

Ooooooooo….. like the sound of that.

yep, and it’s a long list.

If Fields crashes and burns next season, is trying to get a blue chip edge or DL really the highest priority at that point? Presumably, all the holes on the offense were plugged the year before (ie: this year), so, in my opinion, the Bears scrape together whatever it takes to move up and get their next QB with everything else on offense in place. Hopefully, with the 2024 draft picks they get trading out of #1 this year, that wont’t be such a heavy lift next year. however, I’m firmly of the belief that the Bears finally have their long sought after franchise QB, so I don’t see that scenario playing out. (Fingers and toes crossed ;-) And they’ll be using those picks for their next HOF QB sacker!

yes, I have seen the same. There's a lot of holes on the Bears O-Line to plug. I see them grabbing a blue chipper OL in the 1st and plugging in a few more in Free agency. The Offense has to be fixed this year to be able to truly evaluate where Fields is heading. They’ll still be able to plug some defensive holes in the draft and with FA’s, but there’s alway’s next year to get that stud edge or D-lineman if necessary.

This article follows my line of thinking as far as making protection of Fields the top priority. And if the Bears do go for an O-lineman, I don’t think they have to land in the Top 5: “4. Chicago Bears: Broderick Jones, OT, Georgia (Projected Trade with Indianapolis) The Bears pick a blue chip offensive tackle prospect in Broderick Jones (scouting report) who will protect the passer and move people in the run game. The Bears would be committing to Justin Fields in this scenario, so protecting him should be their first priority” https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2023/2/7/23589995/chicago-bears-2023-nfl-draft-mocking-mock-broderick-jones-trade-back-jonathan-mingo-zach-harrison

This article gives a great breakdown of who the Bears could realistically get in Free Agency for D-line and linebackers with the most cap space in the league: https://www.windycitygridiron.com/2023/2/6/23585712/chicago-bears-free-agency-extravaganza-defense-daron-payne-trumaine-edmunds-tj-nfl-offseason-2023

Well, I think your wrong. I think the number one goal is to give Fields protection and the Bears brass is doing a great job with disguising that. A double trade getting a nice haul AND the best OT in the draft would do nicely… plenty of cap to go after proven D-line in FA, and with next years #1’s.

It could happen if they have to have their guy. Aint say’n… just say’n.

The Bears would trade out of the #2 spot as well, and the Colts would have to deal if they wanted one of the top 2. i also think the Bears would be perfectly happy taking the top offensive tackle at 9 if they could get a double trade down. consider: if the Bears can get next year’s #1 from Houston, and next year’s #1 from, say, the Raiders… the Bears could easily have the number 1 pick in next year’s draft (who thinks houston is going to do any better with a rookie QB?), another top 10 ten with their own, and probably a mid 1st rounder with the Raiders pick. And then all this trade talk starts all over again in 2024!

Bears fan here. Listen, any moch, discussion or rumor that have the Bears trading Fields can be summarily dismissed. The GM could kiss his job goodby if he traded Fields who then goes on to become a bonafide franchise qb. I think what is more reasonable is for the Bears to trade and get a first round pick in next years draft, and maybe the year after as well, where they could then go after a top tier qb IF Fields has regressed.

The same could be said of Edge Rushers…. If the deal is good enough, the Bears could trade further down and get their edge rusher next year (with multiple #1’s) The Media might think the Bears have to get one of the top 2 defenders, but the Bears might not.

I think you are onto something there. If picks one and two go by without the Colts moving up, can Indy afford to take that chance, because it’s too late for them to do anything about it at that point. Another incentive for the Colts to trade up with the Bears it appears.

$118M

If Indy (or any team) drafted the 3rd best QB, unless he’s severely injured during the season, I can pretty much guarantee they won’t be drafting another 1st round QB in the next year’s draft.

I don't think the book can be shut on Fields yet. He showed enough promise to convince our new GM to bet his job on building around him. I think it's the correct move. Excited to see what he can do when he has a compitent O-line and receivers around him.