Report: Chicago Bears officially put on trade up notice before draft

With four picks inside the top 75 of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears have the power to move up the draft board as they please. If it means the franchise lands a player that wasn’t originally deemed available, it may be too good of an opportunity for the Bears to pass up.

Both the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants, who hold the No. 2 and No. 3 pick respectively, have already gone on record saying they’d be willing to trade down. So are the Carolina Panthers who hold No. 8. Point is, the Bears seem to have ample opportunity if they want to move up the board.

With the draft quickly approaching, that seems like Chicago’s priority. The Bears are reportedly looking to trade up, with six teams ahead of the franchise willing to move down, via Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News.

League source text: “Chicago Bears looking to move up”

Another league source: SIX teams ahead of the Bears at No. 10 are open to moving back#NFLDraft

— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) April 23, 2025

Chicago Bears trade up plan 

The Bears hold picks No. 39 and No. 41. Packaging their first-rounder with one of their seconds and a late-round pick in 2025 or 2026 is likely the easiest way to get a trade down. Chicago doesn’t want to give up too much draft capital, but moving into the top five specifically would be a hard bargain.

Still, the Bears would put themselves in an entirely different tier with a trade up. If they move to No. 2 or No. 3, they would be in range to select star cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter or edge rusher Abdul Carter. Of course, Chicago could also guarantee that land running back Ashton Jeanty.

Hunter would form a lethal combo on the outside with Jaylon Johnson. Kyler Gordon joining the trio gives the Bears a strong secondary core to work with for the foreseeable future. Furthermore, new head coach Ben Johnson is undoubtedly looking for playmakers. Hunter provides that in spades. He hasn’t been connected to the Bears at all through the draft-process, since he isn’t expected to fall out of the top three. But a trade would change all that.

The Bears bolstered their pass rush when they signed Dayo Odeyingbo to a three-year, $48 million contract. However, Carter would provide an entirely different element to Chicago’s defense. He led the nation with 24 tackles for a loss in 2024, adding 12 sacks. Carter lining up next to Montez Sweat would be a nightmare for any quarter the Bears face.

Moving up into the top three would be a bold move by general manager Ryan Poles and company. There’s no doubt that the idea of Jeanty in Johnson’s offense is tantalizing. But the 2025 running back class is deep. Still, Chicago’s ties to Jeanty have been deep. With his stock only rising, the Bears can ensure he ends up in the Windy City.

While they have the draft capital to pull off a major trade, the Bears must be cautious before agreeing to any deal. They have numerous holes on the roster they still need to fill. Regardless though, Chicago is looking for impact players in the 2025 draft. Moving up from No. 10 ensures one of them plays for the Bears.