The NFL draft kicks off in three days. For the Chicago Bears, the discourse from fans has been about whether the team will trade up or trade back from their No.10 overall pick. The fanbase seems to be split into three camps: 1. Trade up to draft Ashton Jeanty, 2. Trade back if certain players aren't available at No. 10, and 3. Stay at No. 10 to select the best available player.
That said, some recent information may point to Chicago trading up for Jeanty. On Monday, Adam Schefter released an article with many insights into what may happen during the 2025 NFL draft. In one section, he mentions teams that are willing to trade down. Two of the teams draft before Chicago does at No. 10: the Jacksonville Jaguars (5) and Carolina Panthers (8).
This opens the door for the Bears to move up ahead of the Las Vegas Raiders and draft Jeanty if Ben Johnson wants to pull the trigger.
Saints already have made exploratory calls about trading up in the second round, per league sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 21, 2025
This, and other insights, in our annual ESPN draft intel column.https://t.co/7X6U85FDa4
New Draft Intel Points to the Bears Having an Opportunity to Trade Up
"On the other side of things, the Steelers (No. 21) are among the teams interested in moving back from their first-round slot. That list also includes the Jaguars (5), Panthers (8), 49ers (11), Falcons (15), Seahawks (18), Buccaneers (19) and Vikings (24), who currently have four picks, the fewest any team."Adam Schefter
As mentioned, the Jaguars' willingness to trade the No. 5 pick allows Chicago a chance at Jeanty. Currently, many believe the Boise State product will land with the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 6. However, jumping Las Vegas in the order would throw those plans off.
That said, Jacksonville will likely have a high asking price for the pick. The Jaguars already hold 10 choices in this year's draft, so they are probably seeking future draft capital. Even so, if Johnson believes Jeanty can help his offense run or even transform it, then the trade will be made.
On the other hand, while a deal with the Panthers isn't completely off the table, it's definitely less likely to happen. Moving up two spots in a draft that lacks many blue-chip prospects just doesn't make much sense. Unless, of course, an offensive lineman falls to No. 8 that they think won't make it to No.10.
That's the only scenario in which anyone could envision the Bears moving up two spots. Nevertheless, the speculation about what and who the Bears will pick in the first round comes to a close on Thursday when the NFL draft descends upon Green Bay, Wisconsin.