The Chicago Bears are in a bit of an unfamiliar situation heading into the 2026 NFL Draft. In the first round, they are positioned to select outside the top 10 for the first time since 2022. The unfortunate side effect of having a breakout season is dropping to the back half of the draft.
The Chicago Bears are currently sitting at pick number 25 overall. There are quality prospects at all levels of the draft; however, the Bears sit at a bit of a dead zone when looking at the top tier of talent. While trading up or staying put is certainly within the cards, general manager Ryan Poles may opt to recoup more draft capital.
The Bears did a noticeably good job of grabbing talent outside the first round last year, so perhaps the optimal choice is to get more opportunities to pick more players.
Sports Illustrated’s Pete Martuneac recently released a piece mapping out the most realistic trade partners the Bears could swap with if they pursue this scenario.
The Arizona Cardinals
GettyThe Arizona Cardinals possess draft picks 3, 34, 65, 104, 143, 183, and 217 in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Arizona Cardinals shoot to the top of the list for a team that is most likely to attempt to trade back into the first round. Martuneac argues that their need for a new quarterback drives their motive.
“Where there’s smoke, there’s fire, and there’s plenty of smoke around the NFL that the Cardinals would like very much to draft Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, especially now that they’re in the middle of a contract standoff with Jacoby Brissett. Furthermore, Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort may have quietly addressed the Ty Simpson buzz himself when he listed Simpson’s two best traits, accuracy and decision-making, as what they’re looking for in their next quarterback.”
Martuneac predicts the Bears would likely walk away with pick number 34 overall and an additional swap with Arizona in rounds three and four. This would provide Ryan Poles and co. with five selections between pick number 33 and 89.
The New York Jets
GettyThe New York Jets possess draft picks 2, 16, 33, 44, 103, 140, 179, 228, and 242 in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Jets have a very similar motive to the Cardinals to trade back into the first round. While they did sign Geno Smith in the offseason, they still need their signal-caller of the future. However, Smith being in the building may even make the Jets more likely to go after Ty Simpson. Martuneac argues that because Simpson might not be ready to start immediately, Smith provides a development path for his transition.
The Bears would most likely snag picks 33, 44, and potentially a later-round swap in this scenario.
The New England Patriots
GettyThe New England Patriots possess draft picks 31, 63, 95, 125, 131, 171, 191, 198, 202, 212, and 247 in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Chicago has already successfully orchestrated one trade with an AFC East team this offseason, why not another? “Teams that just miss out on a Super Bowl title tend to get desperate in the next year, especially when their quarterback is on a rookie contract,” Martuneac states as the reason why the Patriots may be aggressive in the draft.
He also suggests that New England could be the best trade-back scenario for Chicago because it would allow them to stay in the first round and potentially pick up a second just to move back six slots.
The Bears’ position this year is unfamiliar, but that doesn’t mean they can’t make the most out of it. Expect the front office to explore all opportunities as they attempt to compete for a title run next season.
The Chicago Bears’ Top 3 Realistic NFL Draft Trade Down Scenarios