Bears Almost Made Disastrous Draft-Day Mistake
![Mar 16, 2023; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles speaks during a press conference at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports Mar 16, 2023; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles speaks during a press conference at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4500,h_2531,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/258/01j0ear11h08n30bgfpv.jpg)
The Chicago Bears head into the 2024 season after a massive overhaul over the last few months.
They were able to add quality NFL veterans in Keenan Allen, D'Andre Swift, Kevin Byard, and Gerald Everett. That was just the start as they continued to supplement the roster in the 2024 NFL Draft, as they owned two picks within the first nine picks.
Chicago nabbed Caleb Williams with the first overall pick before taking Rome Odunze with the ninth overall pick.
These were two big-time additions for the Bears but it's been revealed that Chicago almost made an unnecessary draft day mistake.
The #Bears were open to trading a future 4th to the #Falcons to move from 9 to 8 to secure Rome Odunze.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) June 14, 2024
Seems like Atlanta wasn't interested. The Bears still got Odunze.
But this feels noteworthy after Atlanta lost a future 5th this week for tampering.pic.twitter.com/cB2kAn7fmO
Bears News: Chicago Attempted To Trade Up To 8th Overall
In a documentary called "NFL Draft: The Pick Is In", there is a video that shows the Bears looking to trade up one spot to No. 8.
The Atlanta Falcons were the ones who occupied that pick and Chicago was willing to give up a future fourth-round pick to move up one spot. Instead, the Falcons decided to stand pat, as they selected Michael Penix Jr.
The Bears were locked into selecting Odunze, so it ended up working out for them. But they were about to give up an additional fourth-round pick for no real reason.
It certainly sounds like the Bears didn't know Atlanta was locked in on Penix Jr., so they were willing to give up some ammo to get their guy. There was also a lot of smoke that WR-needy teams were looking at Atlanta as a potential trade-up spot. Fortunately for Chicago, that wasn't the case and they drafted a dynamic weapon to join the offense.
Furthermore, they kept their draft assets. That's a win-win for the Bears and Ryan Poles.
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