History shows what Chicago Bears could get for No. 1 pick

With the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears have already stated that they will look at every option. This includes sticking at the spot and drafting either a quarterback or a defensive player or trading back to acquire more draft capital in 2023 and potentially beyond.

The Bears, who seem to already have their franchise quarterback in Justin Fields, are not as QB-needy as a handful of other teams who will be picking in the top 10, so a trade-back appears to be a likely outcome in this year’s draft.

Starting with the Houston Texans, who hold the number 2 overall pick this year, there are many teams who should be calling the Chicago Bears in order to move up and select their franchise quarterback in either Alabama’s Bryce Young, Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud, or Kentucky’s Will Levis.

While Bears fans are excited about the prospect of trading back and netting a haul of draft picks, there have been many unrealistic trade scenarios swirling around social media where Chicago fleeces another team for the first overall pick.

Considering the massive, potentially franchise-altering decision that the Chicago Bears have to make regarding the first-overall pick, it is important to look at precedent to see what a realistic offer may look like. So, let’s look at recent trades for the number one overall pick, as well as three more recent instances of a team trading into the top three to select their (hopefully) franchise quarterback.

St. Louis Rams trade up for Jared Goff, Tennessee Titans receive multiple picks

The Rams traded all the way from the 15th selection to draft their franchise quarterback in Cal’s Jared Goff. To date, this is the furthest a team has traded up to acquire the first overall pick, and the Titans got a haul in return, highlighted by two second-round picks that year and a first-round pick in the following draft.

The Titans turned this draft package into offensive tackle Jack Conklin, defensive tackle Austin Johnson, running back Derrick Henry, and wide receiver Cory Davis.

It’s also important to note that the Titans ended up using part of their draft haul to trade back up to the number eight overall pick, where they selected Conklin, so there is precedent for a team to trade back and then back up, something that the Chicago Bears could look into this year.