The best way the Chicago Bears can use the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft is by trading it to a quarterback-needy team while maintaining position to select either Will Anderson Jr. or Jalen Carter. And if the comments of Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay Tuesday indicate what’s to come in the first round, the Bears may get their wish.
Irsay spoke during the introductory press conference for new Colts’ coach Shane Steichen and tipped his hand at what Indianapolis’ top priority is this offseason. Irsay said Steichen emerged as his top choice because of the team’s need to identify and develop a young quarterback and hinted that Alabama’s Bryce Young is high on his wish list.
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Irsay’s unfiltered comments are a dream come true for the Chicago Bears. Not only does it signal the Colts’ potential willingness to trade into the first pick, but they also put the rest of the league on notice that Young isn’t likely to slide past No. 4. If another team wants the Heisman Trophy winner, they’ll have to move ahead of Indianapolis, making a trade with the Bears an obvious option.
Chicago backed into the first overall pick thanks to Lovie Smith and the Houston Texans winning a miraculous game in the 2022 season finale. It was an incredible finish for the Bears, which, by itself, is a huge win for the offseason. The fact the Colts and an owner as extreme as Irsay is one of the quarterback-needy teams likely in the mix to trade with Chicago to move up in Round 1 is icing on the cake.
There remains a chance the Bears will stay at No. 1 overall and select either Anderson or Carter. But with a roster that’s more than one player away from contender status, a trade-down is in Chicago’s best interest.
