Chicago Bears: 3 controversial trades to make during 2023 NFL Draft

This week could be the difference between the Chicago Bears being contenders in the near future and possibly being stuck in mediocrity. Depending on what general manager Ryan Poles decides to do, the organization will have a whole new direction after the 2023 NFL Draft.

Most would bet that Poles and the Bears’ outlook will be a positive one after the weekend is over. But, only time will tell.

One thing is a sure bet, though, and that’s the Bears making at least one move. Poles will make a trade, without a doubt. The only question is, will it stop at just one deal?

Another question: Just how bold is Poles willing to go in his second year with the team? He’s made some great deals and some questionable ones over the last year. Bears fans should be on the lookout for a potentially-controversial move, this week, too.

Controversial trades the Chicago Bears could make in the 2023 NFL Draft: A trade back up into the first round

The Bears enter the draft with 10 total picks, which is quite a bit. On one hand, they could afford to sacrifice one of them to move up. On the other hand, two second rounders? That’s steep.

A trade like this is actually dead-even if you’re using the draft pick value chart from Pro Football Reference, but it’s a highly-controversial one. The value the Bears would be getting at the 29th pick would have to be exponential to give up two potential starters in the second round.

Assuming the Bears stayed at number 9 and took the best player available, one would have to believe that they’d go the opposite side of the ball here at no. 29. A very likely scenario is that the Bears go defensive line earlier, and at 29, there happens to be either an offensive tackle or a wide receiver on the board who could have gone much sooner.

A great example would include a player like Tennessee offensive tackle Darnell Wright or TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston. Maybe, USC wideout Jordan Addison slips a bit. One of these three players would be well-worth spending the capital to move up.

But, the Bears wouldn’t pick again until the third round, and there would be a lot of fans questioning whether or not this deal was worth it.