Watching drama unfold with the Packers quarterback situation is fun. But if the Bears can somehow end the night with a significant quarterback upgrade of their own, it would essentially make for a perfect day.
And for what it’s worth, it sounds like Chicago is burning up the phone lines trying to make something happen:
From our NFL Draft Preview Show: Trade calls are being made, and the #Patriots, #Bears and #Saints are among those making them. QBs are always trade-up targets. This year, O-linemen could be, as well. pic.twitter.com/3gNwHsA11h
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 29, 2021
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport hears the Bears are among the teams making calls with the intent of trading UP in the 2021 NFL Draft. The phrasing Rapoport uses here is interesting, as he says Chicago has “made calls to potentially pave the way for a deal” to move up. This isn’t Rapoport saying the Bears are doing it. But the way he is framing the report raises my eyebrows.
Earlier, reports began surfacing that Chicago “badly” wants to move up from the 20th pick. Naturally, their eyes – per earlier reporting – are on quarterback Justin Fields. The Bears have been connected to Fields recently, with Matt Nagy’s appearance at Ohio State’s second Pro Day showing increased interest. And while the Bears’ interest in a quarterback is obvious, Rapoport seems to hedge on who they could be targeting.
“Could it be for their quarterback of the future?” Rapoport asks. “I also know they could use a tackle. Maybe a short leap up for an offensive lineman?”
The short leap up for a lineman is a new development. Maybe they have it bad for Rashawn Slater? The Bears were all-in at Northwestern’s Pro Day with all eyes on Slater. A move up a few spots for someone who could be a franchise left tackle wouldn’t be as costly as a deal to go higher to take a quarterback. But now that it’s on our radar, I’m thinking maybe the Bears have several different irons on the fire. Stay tuned.