Odds that Chicago Bears will trade up for Marvin Harrison Jr. just got worse

A dreamlike scenario for the Chicago Bears in the 2024 NFL Draft involves the team drafting Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. following the selection of quarterback Caleb Williams at No. 1 overall. Harrison Jr. is arguably the best non-quarterback in the draft, meaning the Bears would likely have to trade up from No. 9 to land him.

Unfortunately, the chances of that occurring downgraded dramatically following comments made by Los Angeles Chargers general manager Joe Horitz, who owns the No. 5 pick.

“It’s best player available [at No. 5],” Horitz said. “Certainly there’s some positions that we don’t need. When you have a chance to add a great player, you take advantage. That’s how we’re going to approach it.”

Chargers GM Joe Hortiz says it’s collaborative process, but he’s the one making picks. Bolts believe they will select the first non-QB at 5, and Hortiz says he’s not interested in a “fair trade” to move off pick. He will lean on Baltimore roots and take BPA. pic.twitter.com/jPQWWTUy1E

— Eric Williams (@eric_d_williams) April 18, 2024

After the Bears select Williams, quarterbacks are expected to go picks two through four, with Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, and J.J. McCarthy landing in some order with the Washington Commanders, New England Patriots, and whoever trades up to No. 4 for the next quarterback.

MORE: Could the Chicago Bears pivot and select Brock Bowers in the first round?

That outcome would allow the Chargers to draft the first non-quarterback at No. 5 overall. The Chargers desperately need a receiver after releasing Mike Williams and trading Keenan Allen to the Bears. Harrison Jr. would be the best player available, marrying Horitz’s BPA approach with a positional need.

That would eliminate Ryan Poles’ slim chances of trading up to pair Harrison Jr. with Williams. If the Bears want to draft a pass catcher, they’ll likely have to shift attention to Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze, or Brock Bowers. Harrison Jr. is a pipe dream at this point.