In the unpredictable world of the NFL Draft, few elements remain constant year after year—one of the most notable being the dramatic influence that trades, particularly those between high-profile teams, have on the outcomes of draft results. As we approach the 2025 NFL Draft, all eyes are on the Chicago Bears and their pivotal position in the draft order. Sitting with a coveted selection and possessing the kind of flexibility that could reshape their franchise, the Bears find themselves in a position to make significant moves. However, there is a compelling reason to believe that another team—the New York Giants—may play a pivotal role in shaping how the 2025 draft unfolds, particularly for Chicago.
The Bears’ decision to trade the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to the Carolina Panthers for a haul of draft picks set the stage for their strategic positioning in 2025. After the Panthers’ trade-up, the Bears took a substantial step forward, securing multiple additional picks. This not only provided them with a considerable degree of flexibility in the 2025 Draft but also opened the door for Chicago to pursue key needs in the upcoming seasons. That flexibility is crucial, as the Bears, under head coach Matt Eberflus, have made it clear that they are in the midst of a rebuild. Despite the fact that Chicago’s rebuild is still in its early stages, a series of well-executed draft moves, bolstered by strategic decisions, could dramatically accelerate their timeline and push them back toward playoff contention much sooner than initially expected.
It is here where the New York Giants, though not traditionally linked to the Bears in the context of trade discussions, may quietly make their presence felt. The Giants, under head coach Brian Daboll, have been developing their own brand of football with a mix of youth and experience. While they have their own set of goals for the upcoming draft—particularly looking to strengthen their offense around quarterback Daniel Jones—there exists a perfect storm of potential trade dynamics between the Giants and Bears that could result in a major shake-up for both teams and ultimately impact the trajectory of the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Giants’ current roster is composed of pieces that are both established and on the rise. However, with the NFC East being one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL, the pressure is on New York to not only contend for the division title but also make a significant leap in the postseason. The team’s success will likely hinge on their ability to improve their roster, particularly in key positions like wide receiver, offensive line, and cornerback. These are areas where the Giants could look to make a big splash in the 2025 draft, and it’s in these areas where the Bears could come into play.
The Bears, after trading down from the top of the 2024 draft, are sitting with multiple high-value picks in the 2025 Draft. With a franchise quarterback in Justin Fields, Chicago’s immediate need for a quarterback is less urgent than many of the teams directly behind them in the draft order. This gives the Bears the flexibility to focus on bolstering other positions—like the offensive line and defensive front—while still holding the ability to move up the draft board to select players who may be key to their long-term success. However, in order to facilitate these moves, the Bears may need to make deals with teams that are directly behind them in the draft order. Enter the New York Giants.
The Giants currently sit in a relatively favorable position in the draft order. While they don’t have the kind of high pick that would guarantee a blue-chip prospect, they are in a good spot to target key players, particularly with the needs on the offensive side of the ball. New York could look to trade up in the draft to secure a player who could make an immediate impact in their offense. It is in this scenario that the Bears become an ideal trade partner for the Giants. Chicago could find themselves willing to trade down further from their current position to a spot where the Giants could land a top target—someone like a high-potential wide receiver or offensive lineman. The Giants could offer the Bears additional draft capital in future years or perhaps a player that would help further bolster the Bears’ rebuilding efforts.
One of the most logical trade scenarios that could arise between the Giants and Bears involves New York’s desire to secure a dynamic offensive weapon, such as a top-tier wide receiver. With the wide receiver class in 2025 projected to be deep, the Giants may find themselves wanting to target a specific player in the top 10 or 12 picks, a range where Chicago could feasibly drop down to. Chicago would likely be open to trading down to that range, knowing that they could still secure impactful players in key positions like the defensive line or cornerback. The trade would provide the Giants with an opportunity to get their desired offensive weapon while providing Chicago with a greater number of draft assets to continue their roster overhaul.
However, the dynamic between the two teams is far from one-sided. The Giants themselves may also be in a position where they could look to trade up for a cornerback or a linebacker to bolster their defense. While New York has made strides under Daboll, there are still areas on the defensive side of the ball that need to be addressed in order to make them a more well-rounded team. With the top-tier defensive talent potentially available in the 2025 draft, the Giants may look to move up to grab a player who could immediately strengthen their secondary or linebacker corps. A trade with the Bears in such a scenario could work well for both teams, as it allows the Bears to stockpile more picks while giving the Giants the chance to secure a key defensive prospect.
The key to these potential deals is the flexibility of the Bears’ position in the draft. By holding onto multiple high-value picks, Chicago has the ability to make moves that can benefit them in both the short and long term. It is a rare situation for a team in a rebuilding phase to have such flexibility, and this is where the Giants’ interest in trading up could potentially alter the draft’s course. For the Giants, being able to secure a high-impact player at a crucial position—whether it’s a weapon for Jones or a defensive stud to anchor their defense—could be the difference between staying competitive in the NFC East or falling behind in an ever-toughening division.
This trade dynamic will not only be about what the Giants and Bears can offer one another in terms of draft picks or players but also about the larger market of teams in the draft. There are always a variety of teams looking to make moves—whether they’re in need of a quarterback or a potential star to put them over the top. In such an environment, the Bears and Giants could find themselves in a tug-of-war for certain prospects, leading to deals that not only affect their future but also ripple throughout the NFL.
The broader landscape of the 2025 NFL Draft also plays into this dynamic. The draft class is expected to feature multiple standout quarterbacks, which will drive much of the trade activity at the top of the draft. Teams who are desperate for a quarterback will likely be looking to move up, which could force the hand of the Giants to act quickly if they want to make their desired moves without getting caught in a trade frenzy. The Bears, aware of this, will likely be in a position to maximize the value of their picks, whether through trades with teams like the Giants or others vying for the same players.
All in all, while the Giants are not the only team that could impact the Bears’ 2025 NFL Draft results, their potential to be a key trade partner is undeniable. The flexibility and maneuverability that Chicago holds could lead to a scenario where New York’s own draft aspirations align with the Bears’ rebuilding timeline, resulting in a mutually beneficial trade that reshapes the 2025 draft landscape. In the end, it is these types of trade scenarios that demonstrate just how unpredictable and exciting the NFL Draft can be—and why teams like the Giants and Bears, despite having different goals, could play a significant role in one another’s future success.