Bears Land Franchise-Altering Haul for No. 1 Pick in Peter King's Projection
Even though Caleb Williams wasn't even born yet when it happens, it's hard not to think of the infamous New Orleans Saints Ricky Williams trade when we're talking crazy hauls for high draft picks. The Saints traded Washington eight picks, including two first-rounders, to select Williams at No. 5 overall.
That haul is nothing compared to what top draft picks go for now. Last year’s trade saw the Bears receive two firsts and two seconds plus D.J. Moore for the No. 1 pick. Now they're projected to get even more in 2024.
Peter King is an institution. I always looked forward to his columns in SI and enjoyed his interviews later on. He's an incredible writer but you already knew that. Hats off to a great career.
— Brendan Sugrue (@BrendanSugrue) February 26, 2024
And of course he had to drop a juicy Bears nugget on his way out. https://t.co/9FlVcO5iiW pic.twitter.com/FQDXlkgZOS
Bears Rumors: Peter King Speculates on Epic Trade Haul
Peter King, in his final edition of Football Morning in America for NBC Sports has speculated on what the Bears will do with the first overall pick. He admits he has no inside information, but to King it's a foregone conclusion that the pick will be traded. And when you look at what he projects the Bears to receive in return, even the most ardent Justin Fields hater has to start drooling about the haul.
King projects two trades:
King Bears 1
Here the Bears add a second-round pick (King doesn't specify if he thinks it's No. 36 or No. 40 overall, but that doesn't really matter) and a 2025 first in order to move down just one spot.
Then, having made it clear they're not drafting a QB, they can move the No. 2 pick to someone who wants Drake Maye. For King, that's the Atlanta Falcons:
King Bears 2
So essentially King says the Bears trade Caleb Williams for the following:
- No. 8 overall pick
- Either the No. 36 or No. 40 overall pick
- No. 43 overall pick
- 2025 1st round pick
- 2025 1st round pick
- 2025 2nd round pick
This is such a no-brainer. Picking twice in the top-10 this year and then having three first-rounders (including two from teams gambling on a rookie quarterback) would completely transform the franchise.
Could Williams transform the franchise? Of course. But bringing in Williams without the proper supporting staff around him is a massive gamble that could backfire in a huge way.
Even if Fields isn't the answer, this trade haul would let the Bears build a deep roster that could either compete with medicore QB play from Fields or support whoever Fields' eventual replacement is.
Finger crossed Ryan Poles and the other NFL GMs think this scenario is as realistic as Peter King does.
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