Peter King Suggests Bears Could Trade #1 Overall Pick in Farewell Column

Peter King, renowned sports writer and analyst, bid farewell to his Monday Morning QB column with a bold prediction regarding the Chicago Bears’ strategy for the upcoming NFL draft. In his final piece, King speculated that the Bears could be exploring the possibility of trading their coveted #1 overall pick, signaling a potential shift in their draft strategy.

King prefaced his prediction by acknowledging that he had no insider information but noted that there seemed to be a prevailing sentiment within the league that the Bears could entertain trade offers for the top pick. He emphasized the importance of building a strong supporting cast around quarterback Justin Fields, advocating for the Bears to retain him while exploring trade options for the first overall selection.

Proposing a hypothetical scenario, King outlined a potential trade strategy for the Bears that involved multiple trades to maximize their draft capital. He suggested that Chicago could trade down from the top spot, first to Washington and then to Atlanta, in exchange for a haul of draft picks spanning multiple years.

In King’s proposed scenario, the Bears would initially trade the #1 pick to Washington, who would likely select quarterback Caleb Williams. In return, Chicago would acquire Washington’s second overall pick, a second-round pick, and a first-round pick in the 2025 draft. Subsequently, the Bears would trade the second pick to Atlanta, allowing the Falcons to choose another quarterback, while Chicago received the eighth overall pick, Atlanta’s second-round pick, and first- and second-round picks in the 2025 draft.

By executing these trades, King suggested that the Bears could significantly bolster their draft capital, potentially acquiring a total of nine picks in the first two rounds of the next two drafts. This influx of draft assets would provide Chicago with the opportunity to build an instant infrastructure around Fields, positioning the team for long-term success.

While King’s prediction is speculative, it underscores the strategic considerations that NFL teams must navigate during the draft process. As the Bears contemplate their options, King’s proposed trade strategy offers a glimpse into the potential avenues they could explore to optimize their draft capital and strengthen their roster for the future.