Former Coach Raises Chicago Bears Draft Scenario Nobody Talks About

The Chicago Bears haven’t formulated any plan for their 2024 draft yet. There is still tons of evaluating left to do between now and April. GM Ryan Poles and his scouts must collect lots of data, watch tape, and conduct interviews. However, most fans agree that two scenarios are on the table. The first and most straightforward is they trade Justin Fields in the offseason and take a new quarterback with what will likely be the #1 pick from Carolina. The other is they keep Fields and trade the #1 pick for a second time, accumulating more draft capital for their ongoing rebuild.

Fans have their opinions on which direction it will go. However, former head coach Dave Wannstedt thinks there is a third option on the table nobody is considering. He explained on Football Night In Chicago.

Such a strategy is rare when it comes to the draft, but it’s happened before. In 1995, Carolina traded down from #1 to #5 with Cincinnati, who wanted running back Ki-Jana Carter. The Panthers took quarterback Kerry Collins in their new spot. In 2004, the San Diego Chargers drafted Eli Manning #1 overall before trading him to the New York Giants. They got back the #4 picks and additional capital in the deal, then used that selection on N.C. State quarterback Philip Rivers. In 2008, Baltimore traded down from #8 to #26 before jumping back up to #18 for Joe Flacco.

The Chicago Bears have good reasons to consider this approach.

So, while hardly common, the strategy has worked in the past. Collins led Carolina to an NFC championship appearance. Rivers is a Hall of Famer. Flacco won a Super Bowl for Baltimore. If the Chicago Bears believe such a strategy is possible, it comes down to their evaluations of the quarterbacks in the draft not named Caleb Williams or Drake Maye. Do they see Jayden Daniels, J.J. McCarthy, or Michael Penix as franchise material? If ever there was a class that might warrant this move, it’s the 2024 version.

Remember, Daniels won the Heisman trophy. Penix and McCarthy are undefeated this season and vying for a national championship. All three will likely be available at the Chicago Bears’ second pick in the top 10, which currently sits at #5 overall. They could flip #1 to a team desperate for Williams or Maye, accumulate more high selections, and still get their guy at that spot. It might not be the most likely scenario, but Wannstedt is correct. Fans should not ignore this possibility.