5 Most Likely Trade Partners for Bears' First-Overall Pick

Last year, the Chicago Bears traded their "earned" first-overall draft pick to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for wide receiver DJ Moore and a few of their draft picks. Now, thanks to the Panthers' bad season, the Bears are at the top of the board again this year, holding the rights to the Panthers' first-round pick which happens to be number one.

The speculation and borderline expectation around the league is the Bears' plan to trade quarterback Justin Fields before draft night and select USC quarterback Caleb Williams with their number one pick. Fields will be entering his 4th season in the league and has still not solidified himself as the franchise quarterback the Bears hoped he would be.

But that is not a done deal just yet. FS1's Colin Cowherd started some drama in Chicago this past week, saying Williams does not want to be drafted by the Bears. He was then instructed to walk those comments back but still was able to keep the rumors swirling.

In a conversation with Chicago's 670 the Score afternoon show, he said he spoke to a USC contact who said at least 5 different NFL franchises have reached out to USC to do a general background check on Williams. He said all these teams have a plan to offer trade packages to Chicago in exchange for the first pick that would guarantee them drafting Williams.

The Bears started their offseason by retaining head coach Matt Eberflus and saying they feel confident about where the franchise is and winning moving forward. Maybe some of that confidence and continuity is rooted in Fields as the quarterback.

If so, here may be the teams that contacted USC and are potentially planning on offering packages for the first-overall pick.