Here’s what Bears fans want Ryan Poles to do with the first pick in the 2023 NFL Draft

For the first time since 1947, the Chicago Bears have the first overall pick in the NFL Draft. Their Week 18 loss to the Minnesota Vikings and the Houston Texans’ victory over the Indianapolis Colts put the Bears and general manager Ryan Poles in the driver’s seat for the 2023 offseason.

The Bears are scheduled to have the most money to spend in free agency this year, and all signs point toward Poles opening the checkbook. Chicago can fill most of their holes along the offensive and defensive lines with free-agent signings, leaving the 2023 NFL Draft as a goldmine for the best available talent. With the No. 1 overall pick, Poles can select whoever he wants.

That’s a powerful feeling.

But it’s even more substantial than that. Poles and the Bears will be active in trade negotiations with the first overall pick. With Justin Fields already in place, Chicago won’t target a quarterback. And with Alabama’s Bryce Young worthy of being picked first, several QB-needy teams are likely to offer the Bears a king’s ransom to move into their draft position.

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Chicago Bears fans want Ryan Poles to trade the first pick in the 2023 NFL draft

It makes football sense to trade down. At the very least, the Bears should look to slide down three picks, lock in either Will Anderson Jr. (Alabama) or Jalen Carter (Georgia), and add multiple first-rounders in the process. Bears fans seem to prefer that idea, too.

I ran a poll on Twitter asking fans a very simple question: Do they want Poles to keep the pick or trade it? The response was an overwhelming 93% in favor of trading down.

#DaBears fans: what do you want Ryan Poles to do with the No. 1 overall pick?

— Bryan Perez (@BryanPerezNFL) January 9, 2023

Ryan Poles already has a history of draft-day trades. He made four trades on Day 3 of the 2022 NFL Draft, increasing the Bears’ total number of draft picks to 11. Now, armed with the most valuable selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, the trade options are limitless for him.

We’ll know much more about what direction Poles is leaning after free agency. If the Bears add some quality edge rushers and a three-technique defensive lineman, there’s no telling how far back Poles will be willing to go. It will get wild if Anderson and Carter aren’t “must-haves” on draft weekend.