The Chicago Bears have found themselves in an intriguing position for the 2025 NFL Draft. With the number one overall pick in hand, the possibilities are endless. The Bears, however, have been linked to trade rumors for several months, with speculation surrounding a potential move down in the draft. It’s a scenario that would allow them to accumulate additional assets, whether in the form of draft picks or players, and potentially still land a player who can contribute immediately. But what would a trade down look like? Is it possible to find the right partner, and what kind of value would the Bears expect in return?
For general manager Ryan Poles, the opportunity to trade down could be too enticing to pass up. Poles inherited a roster that was in a rebuild mode, and while the Bears have shown flashes of potential, particularly with quarterback Justin Fields under center, they still have significant holes that need to be addressed. The Bears finished the 2024 season with a 5-12 record, so while the team is trending in the right direction, it’s clear that they’re not yet in position to contend for a playoff spot.
Trading down would provide the Bears with an opportunity to add more pieces to their roster while still giving them the ability to select a player that can make an immediate impact. The Bears need help in several areas, including the offensive line, wide receiver, and secondary. With that in mind, let’s examine three possible trade-down scenarios that could help the Bears improve their roster.
One of the most likely scenarios for a Bears trade down would be with a quarterback-needy team looking to jump into the top spot. This scenario has been widely speculated since the Bears secured the number one pick. In this situation, the Bears would look to trade down to a team with a pressing need at quarterback, and one of those teams is the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts have been searching for a quarterback since Andrew Luck’s unexpected retirement in 2019. While they’ve tried to find a solution, none of their attempts have been successful, and the team has failed to find consistent play under center.
The Colts sit at number four in the draft, and while they’re not far from the top spot, the difference between selecting a quarterback at number one versus number four could be significant. With quarterbacks such as Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and others at the top of the draft board, Indianapolis would likely be willing to make a bold move to secure one of these players. In this scenario, the Bears could negotiate a trade that would give them the fourth overall pick along with additional picks in later rounds.
The value for a potential trade could look something like this: the Colts would send the fourth overall pick, along with their second-round pick (number 35 overall) and perhaps a 2026 first-round pick. This deal would allow the Bears to drop a few spots in the first round but still be in position to select a top-tier talent. It would also give them two additional picks in the top 50, which could be used to address other areas of need.
From the Colts’ perspective, they would be acquiring the number one pick to ensure that they can secure their future quarterback. The drop-off after the top two quarterbacks in the draft is significant, so the Colts would likely view this trade as a way to ensure they get their guy, rather than taking a chance on a player further down the board. It’s a high-risk, high-reward move for the Colts, but one that could pay off for years to come.
Another potential trade-down scenario could involve the Bears dealing with a team that’s in need of a wide receiver. The Bears have made significant strides in improving their offense, particularly with the emergence of Fields, but they still lack a true number-one receiver to pair with their young quarterback. The situation has created an opportunity for teams in need of a top-tier pass-catcher to make a move up the draft board.
One team that fits this mold is the New York Giants. The Giants are coming off a playoff appearance, but their offense still feels like it’s missing a key piece, particularly at wide receiver. The Giants currently hold the 25th overall pick in the draft, which puts them too far away from the top of the board to grab a wide receiver like Marvin Harrison Jr. or another top prospect. This is where the Bears come in.
The Giants could look to move up into the top 10 in order to secure a top wide receiver, and the Bears could be the perfect trade partner. The Giants would likely be willing to part with their 25th overall pick along with additional draft capital to move up to the first overall pick. A deal could look like this: the Bears trade down from number one to number six, while also receiving the Giants’ 2025 first-round pick and a third-rounder. This would allow the Bears to move back five spots in the first round, still allowing them to select a top player like an offensive lineman or cornerback, while adding future assets to help their rebuild.
For the Giants, this trade would provide them with the opportunity to grab a game-changing wide receiver who could immediately make a difference in their offense. Adding a player like Harrison or another highly touted receiver would give quarterback Daniel Jones a legitimate number-one target, something the Giants’ offense has lacked for years. The trade would be a gamble for the Bears, as it would involve dropping down significantly in the first round, but the added future picks could be the type of value they need to continue building their team.
A third trade-down scenario for the Bears could come from a team that is looking to secure a top defensive player. The 2025 draft class is loaded with talented defensive prospects, and for a team like the Philadelphia Eagles, who are built to contend for championships in the near future, adding an impact defensive player could be the difference-maker. The Eagles hold the 10th overall pick, which could be too far down the board for them to land a top defensive player like edge rusher Jared Verse or defensive tackle Jalen Carter.
In this scenario, the Eagles could look to trade up with the Bears in order to secure a player who could immediately help them on defense. The Bears, in turn, would likely be willing to move down to number 10 in exchange for a combination of picks that could help them build depth across the roster. The Eagles could offer the 10th overall pick, along with their second-round pick and possibly a 2026 first-rounder, to move up to the first overall spot. This trade would allow the Bears to drop back nine spots in the first round while adding additional picks to their war chest.
For the Eagles, this trade would be an opportunity to land an impact player on defense. While the team is already strong on offense, the addition of a defensive star could put them over the top. Whether it’s a game-wrecking pass rusher or a dominant defensive tackle, the Eagles would be adding a player who could immediately contribute to their championship window. The Bears, meanwhile, would be able to add more assets to continue their rebuild, potentially filling multiple roster holes with the added picks.
In conclusion, the Chicago Bears are in a prime position to trade down in the 2025 NFL Draft. With the first overall pick in hand, they can go in many different directions. They could trade with a quarterback-needy team, a team looking to add a top wide receiver, or a team focused on adding a top defensive prospect. Regardless of the direction they choose, the Bears would have the opportunity to improve their roster and continue the rebuilding process under Ryan Poles. The trade-down scenarios outlined above provide a glimpse into the possibilities, and as the draft approaches, the excitement surrounding the Bears’ decision-making process will only intensify.