The Chicago Bears have an almost unheard-of chance to surround Justin Fields with talent for the second consecutive season if they genuinely think he is a successful passing quarterback.

On Monday, January 29, the NFL Scouting Department at Bleacher Report released a trade proposal in which the Raiders receive the Bears’ first-round pick (13th overall) in 2024 and 2025, as well as their second-round picks in 2024 and 2026, wide receiver Jakobi Meyers and tight end Michael Mayer.

The draft is always entertaining to watch, and this hypothetical deal would certainly produce plenty of chaos. Chicago would land a package very similar to what it got from Carolina in the previous season and keep Fields. The Bears would select a little later on the board, but Chicago could still address two important needs with the ninth and thirteenth picks.

Chicago would get a good No. 2 in Jakobi Meyers along with promising tight end and 2023 second-round pick Michael Mayer in this trade rather than a top receiver like Moore. Fields might acquire a fantastic receiving tandem in DJ Moore and Meyers as well as a gifted tight end duo in Mayer and Cole Kmet with this deal.

Giving Up Top Pick Could Allow Bears to Select Elite Edge Rusher in the Draft

On January 23, ESPN’s Mel Kiper projected that the Bears would select Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze with the ninth overall pick. But, Chicago can focus on other roster needs if it can acquire a No. 2 receiver option and a stockpile of picks through a trade.

A pass-rusher to complement Montez Sweat, for whom the Bears traded their second-round pick in 2024 to the Washington Commanders, may be the most important of those needs. Sweat agreed to a four-year contract extension worth a total of $98 million, keeping him bound to the deal through 2027.

With the money invested in Sweat and other areas the team could address in free agency, like the offensive line, the Bears would be better off adding a second pass-rusher on a more affordable rookie contract that, should the team use a first-round pick, will remain cost-controlled for up to five years.

Outside linebacker Laiatu Latu of UCLA is the highest-rated edge rusher still available at pick No. 9, according to Kiper’s initial mock draft. After the Atlanta Falcons select OLB Dallas Turner at No. 8 as the first edge defender off the board, Kiper predicted last week that Latu would go to the Denver Broncos in the 12th round. All of that, though, might alter if the Bears trade the number one pick.

Kiper described Luther as “a toolsy pass-rusher who has a variety of moves and always has a plan of attack.” “He placed first in the FBS in 2022 (55 pressures, 19.1% pressure rate) and second in the FBS this past season in total pressures (57) and pressure rate (20.4%). Did I also mention that during that period, he had 23.5 sacks? Those two seasons have outstanding production values.

Bears Can Get A Real No. 2 Option From Jakobi Meyers Alongside DJ Moore

With the No. 13 pick, the Bears may consider a left tackle of the highest caliber in the deal that Bleacher Report suggested on Monday. That player might provide Fields with more protection in an offense that is almost ready to go before the quarterback plays his fourth NFL season.

In 2023, Meyers would be a crucial component of that, since Chicago had trouble locating a No. 2 receiver option. The Bears let go of Chase Claypool, who they had acquired from the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a second-round pick before the 2022 trade deadline, and Darnell Mooney declined for the second straight season.

Meyers had a career-high eight touchdowns and 71 receptions for 807 yards in his debut season with the Raiders in 2023. He is signed to a three-year, $33 million contract that will last for the next two seasons.

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