Are the Bears Preparing to Trade … *Up* in the 2020 NFL Draft?

With the final countdown upon us and the 2020 NFL Draft kicking off with its first round tonight at 7pm CT on ABC, ESPN, and the NFL Network, I’ve been thinking a lot about something the last couple days.

Specifically, I’ve been thinking about this idea:

Kansas City Chiefs GM Brett Veach knows a thing or two about first-round quarterbacks and how to go about acquiring them. So when Veach says there are four premium quarterbacks in the draft, I’m willing to listen. And while Veach didn’t share specifics, the simple notion that there are going to be four first-round quarterbacks has kept my mind busy.

And then the Chicago Bears dropped this tweet at midnight:

I’m not saying that the two are related in any way, but that is one heck of a tweet to drop at midnight on Draft Day if you want to get your fans’ brains working overdrive. (Mission accomplished.)

It’s too much to put two and two together here to come up with a fourth Day 1 quarterback that the Bears are going to leap into the back of the first round to grab. No, the Bears Twitter account wasn’t dropping a surprise nugget last night, because obviously. Also because no one knows who’ll still be on the board at the end of the first round.

And it’s also probably crazy to start speculating on a trade up for a quarterback anyway … or is it? I mean, if the Bears *were* going to trade up, it absolutely would be for a quarterback, right? That’s usually how this thing goes. And what if a guy viewed by the Bears to be a premium QB is still there as the first round winds down?

We know that Joe Burrow is going number one overall, with Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert likely to go soon thereafter. But what if Jordan Love slips? Or what if someone perceived by outsiders to be in the “next tier” is actually viewed by the Bears as a premium, can’t-miss guy? (Insert your 2017 trade-up jokes here.)

And who better to help steer Chicago in the right direction than Veach, who was Matt Nagy’s boss in Kansas City, and before that, his teammate while at Delaware. That is to say, oh, hey, the Chiefs have that very last pick in the first round, and with it, the prospect of a fifth year option if you land the right guy.

Perhaps Nagy can pick up the phone, dial up his old college chum, have a friendly chat about those four premium quarterbacks, then make a gentleman’s agreement to work out a deal for pick No. 32 if the guy who happened to be near the top of the Bears’ draft board is available.

Hey, don’t give me that look as if we haven’t seen crazier things happen for the Bears on draft day!

And before you even say it, I know that you’re thinking. Chicago’s draft capital is already limited. Not to mention the various needs they have at starting spots that are currently vacant. I hear ya. Totally valid. We’re just talking here.

My only counter to that is to look at the 2018 NFL Draft and what the Ravens did to acquire Lamar Jackson. Baltimore sent the 52nd, 125th, and a 2019 second-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for the 32nd and 132nd picks in that draft. I’m sure the Ravens had needs elsewhere, but they were willing to roll the dice on a quarterback prospect with upside – and the move up from 52 to 32 wasn’t THAT expensive. The results include two playoff appearances in as many years, along with a 2019 MVP season from Jackson.

In theory, the Bears could pull off a similar move. They own two second-rounders (43, 50), so one could get packaged along with a later pick (163?) and a 2021 second-rounder. It would be bold, but it’s not as if they couldn’t take the second-rounder they didn’t deal and use it to accumulate picks (as they did with pick No. 36 in the 2017 NFL Draft).

All this is to say that this should be an interesting weekend for the Bears, starting as soon as tonight. Whether they trade up, back, or stand pat. This team has needs at various positions and doesn’t have a ton of draft picks to work with, which means they’ll need to hit with what they have. Pace’s first four drafts yielded multiple immediate impact players, including some who weren’t first-round picks. He’ll need some more of that magic if the Bears are going to make the playoffs for the second time in three years. If not, we might be talking about a different GM making picks for the team at this time next year.

But we have a long way to go before we cross that bridge. The first steps to that crossroads begin tonight.

Brett Taylor contributed to this post.

written by

Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and 11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.

more bears news

Rome Odunze Has a Visit With the Bears Coming Soon

If you aren't already familiar with Rome Odunze's name or game, your time will come. The University of Washington wide receiver is one of the top prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. At this point of the year, I've officially...

Matt Eberflus Opens a Window to the Chicago Bears Draft Plans

NFL coaches are notoriously tight-lipped. And in his first two seasons as Bears head coach, Matt Eberflus has been no different. But every once in a while you'll catch Eberflus peel back the curtain and provide some insight regarding the...

What Does a Chicago Bears NFL Draft Trade Down Look Like?

You'd think we'd be well-versed in trade-back options after months of wondering what kind of haul it would take for the Bears to move off taking quarterback Caleb Williams with the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. But trading...

D-Line Thoughts, Caleb, GM Seth Rollins, Pack Votes No, and Other Bears Bullets

Cubs and White Sox opening day is today today. March Madness resumes with the Fighting Illini playing in the Sweet 16 later tonight. SIU, my alma mater, is reportedly hiring a "Coach Nagy" to lead its basketball team. And what...

Dan Campbell is Happy To See Justin Fields Leave the NFC North

There was no escaping the mixed emotions from Chicago Bears fans when the Justin Fields trade went down earlier this month. But there were none of that from Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell. Heck, I'd argue there was just...

Another Pass Rusher Signs Elsewhere: Jadeveon Clowney Lands With the Panthers

Another day. Another pass rusher signing. And another defensive lineman going to a team that isn't the Chicago Bears. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport was the first with the news of Jadeveon Clowney signing with the Carolina Panthers. Meanwhile, ESPN's...

Malik Nabers Might’ve Run His Way Out of the Chicago Bears Draft Spot

Today was LSU's Pro Day and Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles was scheduled to be in attendance, per The Athletic's Adam Jahns. Assuming Poles made his flight, he got a good look at the likes of quarterback Jayden Daniels, as...

Goodell on Bears Stadium Deal, No to Hard Knocks? More Old Friends Go to Steelers, and Other Bears Bullets

I keep forgetting that I have a Starbucks gift card from Christmas that has gone unused to this point. Maybe I'll remember it next time I go out for coffee. A big shout out to PFF Brad, who made the...

Ryan Poles Was Pissed Off By RGIII’s Comments About Caleb Williams Situation

When I saw them pop up, RGIII's comments suggesting Caleb Williams pull an Eli Manning and refuse to play for the Chicago Bears were met with an eye-roll, audible groan, and immediate dismissal before moving onto more pertinent topics. But...

Bears Stadium Update: Kevin Warren Reiterates Plans to Build in Downtown Chicago

It sure is starting to sound like Arlington Heights fumbled the bag when it comes to locking in Arlington Park as the future home of a Chicago Bears stadium. While meeting with the media at the NFL owners meetings in...

Latest News

Marlins vs. Pirates Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Miami Marlins (0-1) are favorites (-132) on the moneyline when they square off against the Pittsburgh Pirates (1-0) Friday at 7:10 PM ET, live on BSFL.Miami's Andrew Jacob Puk and Pittsburgh's Martin Perez have been named the starters for...

Rays vs. Blue Jays Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

The Tampa Bay Rays (0-1) and Toronto Blue Jays (1-0) meet Friday at Tropicana Field, starting at 6:50 PM ET on SNET. The Rays are -122 moneyline favorites for the contest, however, the Blue Jays are favored against the spread...

Astros vs. Yankees Probable Starting Pitchers – March 29

The New York Yankees (1-0) visit the Houston Astros (0-1) for a road game on Friday at 8:10 PM ET.The Astros will look to Cristian Javier versus the Yankees and Carlos Rodon.Astros vs. Yankees Pitcher Matchup and Game InfoWhen: Friday,...

Bet $5 with FanDuel Promo Code, Win $200 Bonus Including NCAA Tournament

This weekend is packed with great sports action including the NCAA Tournament, MLB, and NBA for bettors. Check out the FanDuel promo code to score a $200 bonus if your first $5 bet wins! If you live in NC, you...

DraftKings Promo Code: Get $150 for $5 Bet on College Basketball and More Sports

This time of the year on the sports calendar is truly special with the MLB season starting, college basketball in full swing, and much more! Don't miss out on the chance to grab a bonus by using the latest DraftKings...

Rays vs. Blue Jays Probable Starting Pitchers – March 29

The Toronto Blue Jays (1-0) play on the road against the Tampa Bay Rays (0-1) at Tropicana Field. The game is set to start at 6:50 PM ET on Friday.The Rays will call on Aaron Civale versus the Blue Jays...

Marlins vs. Pirates Probable Starting Pitchers – March 29

The Pittsburgh Pirates (1-0) play on Friday in Miami against the Miami Marlins (0-1). First pitch is at 7:10 PM ET.The Marlins will call on Andrew Jacob Puk against the Pirates and Martin Perez.Marlins vs. Pirates Pitcher Matchup and Game...

Duke vs Houston Predictions and Odds: March Madness Best Bets

We have a couple of number-one seeds in March Madness action tonight including Houston (32-4) as the Cougars take on Duke (26-8). Check out the odds and more for Duke vs Houston which tips off tonight at 9:39 pm ET...

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Offseason Preview: 2024 Free Agents and Team Needs

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers enjoyed a successful 2023 season, capturing their third straight NFC South title and pushing the Detroit Lions in a thrilling Divisional Round matchup. This strong showing translates to a relatively stable roster with few glaring weaknesses...

Fanatics NC Promo Code Scores Up to $1,000 in Bonus Bets Over 10 Days: Dive into North Carolina Sports Betting

After a long wait, legal sports betting has finally arrived in the Tar Heel State. Fanatics NC, along with host of other sports books are up and operating in North Carolina. This exciting development opens doors for fans to wager...

more bears news