Ranking the potential trade partners for the Chicago Bears and the No. 1 overall pick

The Chicago Bears currently hold the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, but few analysts expect they’ll be on the clock by the time Thursday, April 27 rolls around.

General manager Ryan Poles confirmed the Bears are leaning toward trading the top selection, and several quarterback-starved teams immediately come to mind as potential trade partners to move up for Alabama quarterback Bryce Young.

But which team would result in the best trade for the Bears? Here’s how we stack the three most likely trade candidates.

No. 3: Houston Texans

The Texans are slated to pick No. 2 overall. The Chicago Bears will get the least in return from a swap with Houston, but they’ll still acquire what can essentially be viewed as free picks.

A jump from No. 2 to No. 1 will cost Houston at least their second-round pick in 2023 and a second or third-round pick in 2024. Not bad, but not exactly the haul Bears fans hope to secure in a trade-back scenario.

One benefit the Bears will reap by trading back one spot is the potential to trade down a second time. Perhaps the Indianapolis Colts will panic and make an offer to jump from No. 4 to No. 2 once Young goes off the board. But you can’t bank on that. It feels like Poles will get one swing on a trade.

Another benefit from trading with Houston is the Bears will still draft the No. 1 player on their board.

No. 2: Indianapolis Colts

The Colts will pay significantly more than the Texans to jump to No. 1 overall. Indianapolis has the No. 4 pick, making the price to jump three spots and Houston to take control of their quarterback destiny at least cost the No. 4 and 35 overall in the 2023 draft and a first-round pick in 2024. It’s a package that’s more in line with what Bears fans are hoping for: assets in future draft classes that extends the ripple effect of ending 2022 with the first pick.

The wildcard with the Colts is their owner, Jim Irsay. He could get crazy with an offer, regardless of what GM Chris Ballard says. If Irsay wants his guy, no price will be too high. Ryan Poles has to take advantage of that desperation.

If we stay grounded in logic, a trade with the Colts is the first realistic spot in which a future first-rounder can be expected. The Bears would only move back three spots and still be in striking distance for Will Anderson Jr. and Jalen Carter, depending on what happens with Carter’s legal issues.

No. 1: Carolina Panthers

A trade with the Panthers would require the Bears to trade back the farthest, but it would generate the biggest return in draft picks.

NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah recently said the Chicago Bears would likely get a 2024 and 2025 first-round pick from Carolina, as well as a second and even third-round pick — along with No. 9 overall — in the 2023 draft.

This is the grand slam, the trade that will set up the Bears for several years. Adding multiple first-round picks for the No. 1 overall in 2023 is like getting a gift that keeps giving. The Chicago Bears would still get a ridiculously talented player at No. 9 overall. Perhaps it’s Northwestern offensive lineman Peter Skoronksi. Maybe it’s Ohio State offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. Perhaps Texas Tech edge rusher Tyree Wilson slides a bit. The point? Chicago will land a starter — a good one — at No. 9, and load up with multiple first-round picks in future drafts to continue building a playoff-caliber roster.

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