With a little detective work, you can make a case that the Chicago Bears offered two first-round picks for Matthew Stafford
The Matthew Stafford trade to Los Angeles made headlines this weekend. This will affect the Chicago Bears, who are not only in the quarterback market, but are also a division rival to the Detroit Lions.
With Stafford on the block, many assumed that Chicago would have a tough time prying him away from their divisional rival. However, according to reports, it does sound like the Bears were in the mix.
Not only that, but they may have had the most aggressive offer on the table.
According to Albert Breer, the Chicago Bears checked in on Stafford. This does not mean that they offered a trade package, but it is interesting to note that Breer had a strong idea of what every other team offered.
Breer noted that the Panthers offered the eighth overall pick, along with a late pick and Washington offered 19 along with a third. Reports also came out that while the 49ers and Colts had an interest, neither were ready to add their first-round pick into the deal.
The report also noted that the Broncos looked for a pick sway, and the Patriots offered a second round pick with a player. However, with Chicago, he does note that they “checked in” but does not have an exact offer. To be fair, Breer also said that the Jets checked in, but was not clear as to what they offered either.
Still, that is just one piece of the puzzle. Now, in Peter King’s column, he notes that one team offered two first-round picks for Stafford. He adds that while the Rams picks were for 2022 and 2023, these picks were 2021, and 2022.
"“The Rams were not the only team to offer two first-round picks to Detroit for Stafford. Not sure of the team, but I know there was at least one other offer with two ones—and that offer did not stretch the first-rounders out as far as L.A.’s proposal.”"
Here is where the detective work comes in. We know from Breer that none of the teams he mentioned were willing to add a second first-round pick. The only others were the Jets and Bears.
The Jets pick third overall, so it is highly unlikely it was them. This makes it easy to assume It was the Bears.
Think about it, we know Ryan Pace is ok with losing a first-round pick or two. We know that the Bears are as desperate as any team. We also know that to steal an inter-division quarterback that they would need to have the sweetest deal.
The Chicago Bears went big and offered two first-round picks, but the Rams package, along with it being preferred for Stafford gave them the edge.
This can tell you that the Bears will not be quiet, though. When teams like SF and Indy were struggling to include a first, the Bears likely had two on the table ready to go.