The Chicago Bears have a golden opportunity to shape their future in the 2025 NFL Draft, but with the 10th overall pick, their strategy for how to approach the draft has become a topic of significant discussion. The Bears, under general manager Ryan Poles, have made strides in rebuilding their roster, but they are not yet a finished product. With a franchise quarterback in Justin Fields, a need for more playmakers on offense, and critical positions on defense that require attention, the Bears are entering this draft with several needs, yet significant flexibility.
One potential avenue to address these needs is to trade down from the 10th overall pick. By doing so, the Bears could acquire more picks in later rounds, adding more talent to their already growing roster. However, for this strategy to work, the Bears would need a trade partner, and recent developments suggest that a potential partner is emerging as the ideal candidate.
This article explores the rationale behind the Bears possibly trading down, the potential trade partners, and why the 2025 draft could be the perfect opportunity for the Bears to move back and accumulate additional assets to further bolster their roster.
Why Would the Bears Consider Trading Down?
The Chicago Bears are in a position of relative strength heading into the 2025 NFL Draft. With an upgraded roster thanks to significant free-agent signings and several young, promising players, the Bears are looking to add depth and talent rather than needing to make drastic, immediate impact selections. Although the 10th overall pick holds substantial value, the Bears could benefit from trading down if they believe they can still get the player they desire later in the first round while adding additional assets that would help them address multiple needs.
There are several reasons why trading down could be the optimal strategy for the Bears:
- Depth of Talent in the 2025 Draft: The 2025 NFL Draft is expected to be deep in talent across multiple positions, particularly at key areas of need for the Bears, such as wide receiver, defensive line, and cornerback. While the 10th overall pick offers the potential to grab a top player, trading down allows the Bears to select a player further down the draft board while also securing additional picks. This could enable them to address multiple needs across different positions of the roster.
- Positional Value: The Bears are in a position where they could use reinforcements at several positions, but they may not necessarily need to use the 10th overall pick to do so. Offensive line, pass rush, and defensive back are positions that the Bears could address later in the draft while still finding high-quality talent. There is an argument to be made that the value of certain positions may be better found a few spots lower in the draft.
- Stockpiling Future Picks: Ryan Poles has demonstrated a keen interest in building through the draft and stockpiling assets for future years. A trade down could allow the Bears to acquire an extra second- or third-round pick, and possibly even future picks, which would allow Poles to continue to build a strong foundation for the franchise. Acquiring picks in the middle rounds could enable the Bears to find future starters and contribute to the roster’s overall depth.
- Maximizing Flexibility: Moving down from the 10th pick could give the Bears the flexibility to move back up if a player they like falls or if they need to make a strategic selection later in the draft. This kind of maneuverability could prove crucial in allowing the Bears to meet both short-term and long-term goals. The Bears could potentially trade down and still have the resources to move up if the right opportunity presents itself.
Given these factors, it is easy to see why the Bears might consider trading down. The extra draft capital could help the Bears build out their roster and give Poles more flexibility to navigate the draft. The key to this strategy, however, is finding the right trade partner.
Emerging Trade Partner: The Atlanta Falcons
While the Chicago Bears have several potential partners they could target in a trade-down scenario, one team that stands out as a strong trade partner is the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons, like the Bears, are in a position where they want to build a competitive roster, but their approach to the draft could differ. After adding several veterans and addressing key areas in free agency, the Falcons may be willing to move up in the draft to secure an impact player who could help them immediately. This sets up an intriguing potential partnership between the Falcons and the Bears.
Why might the Falcons be an ideal partner for a trade-up?
- The Falcons’ Needs: The Falcons have been aggressive in building their roster in recent seasons, particularly on offense, where they added key players like tight end Kyle Pitts and running back Bijan Robinson. However, their defense still has holes that need to be addressed, particularly in the pass rush and secondary. With the 2025 draft being deep in defensive talent, especially at positions like edge rusher and cornerback, the Falcons could be motivated to move up in the draft to secure a top-tier defender who could step in and make an immediate impact.
- The Falcons’ Draft Capital: The Falcons currently hold the 9th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, which is only one spot ahead of the Bears’ 10th pick. However, they have additional picks in the second and third rounds, which could be used as bargaining chips in a trade deal. The Bears would be in a prime position to move down a spot or two, recoup additional picks, and still have access to a high-caliber player who fits their needs. The proximity of the Falcons’ 9th overall pick makes a trade down mutually beneficial for both teams.
- The Falcons’ Aggressive Approach: The Falcons have shown that they are not afraid to make bold moves. They traded up to secure Kyle Pitts in the 2021 NFL Draft, and they may be willing to do so again if the right player falls within reach. The fact that they are picking so close to the Bears could incentivize them to trade up if they feel a player they desire—such as a premier pass rusher, cornerback, or even a wide receiver—will be gone by the time they pick at No. 9.
- The Falcons’ Focus on the Defensive Side of the Ball: Given that the Falcons have already spent significant resources on their offense, they are likely to turn their attention to the defensive side of the ball in the 2025 Draft. A top-tier pass rusher or cornerback could be the missing piece to their defense, especially given that they were near the bottom of the league in total defense in 2024. The Falcons could be enticed to trade up to secure a high-level defensive prospect who can start right away and make an immediate impact in improving their defense.
What Could a Trade Down Look Like?
A trade between the Chicago Bears and the Atlanta Falcons would likely involve the Bears moving from the 10th overall pick down to the 9th overall pick, acquiring additional draft capital from the Falcons in the process. Given the close proximity of the two picks, the Bears may not need to move far down, but the added picks they would receive could provide them with extra resources to continue building their roster.
Here’s what a potential trade could look like:
- Bears Receive:
- The Falcons’ 9th overall pick (moving down one spot)
- The Falcons’ second-round pick (2025)
- A future third-round pick (2026)
- Falcons Receive:
- The Bears’ 10th overall pick
This trade would allow the Bears to move down just one spot and still be in position to select a player they desire. The added second-round pick would give them an extra opportunity to find a starter or provide depth at key positions, while the future third-round pick could further solidify their draft capital in 2026, allowing them to continue building for the future.
The Falcons, on the other hand, would gain the opportunity to secure a player they covet while still keeping their first-round pick intact. This trade would give them the flexibility to get a key player on the defensive side of the ball, which could help them become more competitive in a tough NFC South.
Other Potential Trade Partners for the Bears
While the Falcons are an ideal trade partner, the Bears have other potential partners they could target in a trade down. Teams like the Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, or Washington Commanders could be interested in trading up for a quarterback, offensive weapon, or defensive prospect. The key for the Bears is finding a partner with enough draft capital to make a deal worth pursuing.
Each of these teams has different needs, and depending on how the draft board shakes out, the Bears could engage in discussions with one or more of these teams to move down and secure more assets.