The Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts have been paired as potential 2023 NFL Draft trade partners since the Bears secured the No. 1 overall pick at the end of the 2022 season. The Colts' need for a young franchise quarterback and Chicago's desire to say within striking distance for Will Anderson Jr. or Jalen Carter combines for an easy trade projection.
But it takes two to tango in trade talks.
Colts GM Chris Ballard met with reporters at the 2023 NFL Combine Wednesday and did his best to suggest his club may be content staying at No. 4 overall and letting their QB-next fall to them.
“Everybody has just automatically stamped that you got to move up to (pick) No. 1 to get it right," Ballard said. "I don’t know if I agree with that. I don’t.
'Who’s to say we won’t get one at four?”
I respect Ballard's attempt to act like the Colts aren't a desperate team willing to pay whatever it takes to move up for Alabama's Bryce Young or Kentucky's Will Levis. But as any schooled NFL fan knows, this is lying season. And boy, it feels like Ballard is lying through his teeth.
The 2023 NFL draft quarterback class couldn't be better for the Bears. There's so much variety among the top passers. Each of the top four quarterbacks -- Yong, Levis, CJ Stroud, Anthony Richardson -- is different in what they do well. Their ceilings and athletic profiles vary. There won't be uniform grades, and teams can't bank on any pre-draft prediction or mock draft exercise to feel confident they'll get their guy at, say, No. 4 overall.
That's why the Colts -- or Texans, Raiders, or Panthers -- will have no choice but to move up and not risk losing their preferred quarterback. They won't be able to predict the draft board for other QB-needy teams. There isn't a Trevor Lawrence or Andrew Luck in this year's draft, an obvious QB1 that all teams can write in ink at No. 1 overall.
Get your offer ready, Ballard. Ryan Poles is waiting for your call.
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