The Most Likely Teams To Trade For Chicago Bears’ #9 Spot

The Chicago Bears have hinted at the possibility of trading the 9th overall pick for weeks now. They surfaced almost immediately after their blockbuster deal with Carolina for #1. Nobody can shrug the idea off. GM Ryan Poles has already proven he’s not afraid to wheel and deal if the offers are strong enough. The obvious issue with this idea is it takes two teams to make a deal. If the Bears want to move down again, they will need another team to make an offer to come up.

When examining the landscape, a few organizations stand out as possibilities. Below is a list of them in order of most likely to make a move. As always, much of it depends on whether the right player is available. So we shall also pinpoint the likely source of their desire.

The Chicago Bears may likely hear from these five teams.

5. Baltimore Ravens

Target: Quarterback

Nobody would’ve considered this a possibility a year ago. Lamar Jackson is the face of the franchise. He’s the former MVP and one of the biggest dual threats in the league. Now months of contentious negotiations over his contract leave his future with Baltimore in doubt. The organization doesn’t want to give him a fully-guaranteed extension. He refuses to back down from that demand. This could be his last year with the Ravens unless a middle ground is found. That might push GM Eric DeCosta to make a countermove by moving up for a quarterback from 22nd overall. If Poles is willing to drop that far, he has connections to that organization through assistant GM Ian Cunningham.

4. Tennessee Titans

Target: Quarterback/Offensive tackle

It appears the Titans are undergoing the beginnings of a rebuild. Several key veterans are gone. A new GM is in town. They seem to desire a fresh start. Unfortunately, this can’t be accomplished without a quarterback. Not in that conference with Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert, Josh Allen, Trevor Lawrence, and Jackson. They need somebody with a higher ceiling than Ryan Tannehill. If the right QB drops, they may consider a minor move up to get him. At the same time, Tennessee has glaring issues at offensive tackle. If there is one available at #9 they covet, they could jump in front of the Eagles.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers

Target: Cornerback

Pittsburgh lost both of their starting cornerbacks from last season, Akhello Witherspoon and Cameron Sutton. That threatens to expose their secondary in a division with Jackson, Joe Burrow, and Deshaun Watson. Not ideal. So cornerback figures to be a major priority for them. There are two prospects in this class many see as top 10-worthy. One is Christian Gonzalez of Oregon and Devon Witherspoon of Illinois. If one of them slips to #9, the Steelers may wish to jump the Eagles. Philadelphia retained Darius Slay and James Bradberry, but both are in their 30s. A long-term solution is needed.

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Target: Quarterback

The Tom Brady era is over. While short, it yielded great results for the Buccaneers. Now they face uncertainty at quarterback again. Right now, they’re looking at a competition between journeyman Baker Mayfield and former 2nd round pick Kyle Trask. They could stick with that combination for this year, but that could change if one of the QBs in the top 10 happens to slip. If they see Anthony Richardson or Will Levis as future studs, then GM Jason Licht isn’t the type to fear making an aggressive move. It will depend on whether he can make an offer to convince the Chicago Bears to drop that far.

1. Washington Commanders

Target: Quarterback

Few organizations have felt the sting of quarterback disappointment more than the Bears. Washington might be one of them. It has been a continuous string of busts, brutal injuries, and overpriced has-beens for them. Carson Wentz was their latest disaster last season. The Commanders would have you think Sam Howell is the guy they’re going to roll with this year. Common sense says otherwise. If the right QB slips to #9, Poles is almost certain to get a call from the capital. They know they have a good team. They need a quarterback to challenge Dallas and Philadelphia in the NFC East. Ron Rivera coached Cam Newton in Carolina. He likely sees similarities in Richardson. If that opportunity arrives, everything lines up.