Bears 'leaning toward' moving No. 1 overall pick in 2023 NFL Draft: report

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Since they were awarded the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, many believed the Chicago Bears would want to trade the selection, moving down while also collecting some more assets. 

That seems to be the case as the Draft draws near. 

The Bears have reportedly been called by multiple teams regarding a trade for the No. 1 pick, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. He adds that Chicago is "leaning toward" moving down in the Draft via trade. 

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The NFL Draft Theater Stage at Caesars Forum on April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas. (Jeff Speer/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Why? The key reason is the emergence of quarterback Justin Fields this past season. General manager Ryan Poles said in January that Fields is the team’s quarterback, which made speculation about the first overall pick only buzz more. 

Because Fields, the 11th overall pick in the 2021 Draft, took a big leap in production this past season, despite the Bears’ record, Chicago believes they have a quarterback of the future already on their roster. 

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With that thought process in place, Poles doesn’t need the first overall pick to draft a quarterback. Meanwhile, teams like the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts and others are looking for a quarterback this offseason and are likely to want to select over the rest of the competition. 

Poles could ensure himself a lower first-round pick as well as more draft compensation that is crucial for the Bears’ continued rebuild under his watch. 

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