Peter King: Bears, Steelers could swap 1st-round picks in 2023 NFL Draft

When longtime NFL writer Peter King shares a rumor about the 2023 NFL Draft? Pay attention. And when he shares a rumor about the Chicago Bears and a first-round trade? Get excited.

According to King, the “best rumor” he heard in the week leading up to his latest Football Morning in America column is a potential trade between the Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round.

“Best rumor of the week: Steelers trading up from 17 to nine if Carter’s there,” King wrote. “There could not be a more perfect coach for (Jalen) Carter than Mike Tomlin.”

The Chicago Bears have made it known inside league circles that the ninth pick is for sale. GM Ryan Poles was aggressive with the Carolina Panthers with his trade down from No. 1. There’s no reason to think he’ll stop now, especially for a team with as many needs as the Bears.

Indeed, Chicago could use Jalen Carter as the engine of their defense. Coach Matt Eberflus described the 3-tech as his scheme’s motor. Carter fits the job description despite questions about his off-field decision-making.

If the Chicago Bears trade down to No. 17, it’ll be an almost foregone conclusion that Poles targets an offensive tackle. Paris Johnson Jr., Broderick Jones, and Darnell Wright all warrant early-to-mid first-round consideration. The Bears would be happy with any of them, especially if they come with extra draft assets in 2023 and 2024.