Another Bears Windfall?

Analysis: If Steelers really want to trade up to No. 9 for Jalen Carter, Bears should raise the asking price through the roof because they can't lose either way.

Assuming varying reports of the Bears and Steelers trade talks are true, there are a few options ahead for Chicago GM Ryan Poles.

They won't make him popular in Pittsburgh, but that's life in the NFL draft world.

Remember, it was dealing with the Steelers last year that brought Chase Claypool to Chicago in exchange for an undefined second-round draft pick, one which turned out in essence to be a first-round draft pick.

The Bears wound up with the first pick in each round because they had the league's worst record after a 10-game, season-ending losing streak. When Miami got penalized a first-round draft pick for tampering by owner Tom Ross, it made the 33rd pick Pittsburgh acquired from the Bears for Claypool into the 32nd pick, and in any other year the 32nd pick is actually a Round 1 pick.

So Poles has come away with some egg on his face for blindly making that deal when he didn't really know the hand he had been dealt at midseason. Never mind Claypool's performance, which was highly forgettable at 14 catches, 140 yards and three dropped passes over seven games. It was also excusable because of the rushed nature of his arrival in Chicago and the lack of preparation time on task with quarterback Justin Fields.

It's time for Poles now to get retribution whatever way you look at Claypool.

Keep in mind all of this trade talk probably means nothing because it's hard to believe Carter is going to slip through to No. 9 when Seattle, Detroit, Las Vegas and Atlanta could all take him and solve draft needs.

If it’s for an OLineman, the Bears could be a desired spot, if it’s for Carter, the Steelers would probably have to move up much higher https://t.co/PpQr3DIAx6

— Greg Gabriel (@ggabefootball) April 17, 2023

Carter just visited with Detroit. It would be difficult for the Lions to find a better opportunity to build an entirely dominant front line than by adding Carter. Stranger things have happened in the draft, though.

1. Get Tough

If the Steelers are offering their mid-second-round pick, No. 49 overall, as well as their 17th pick in Round 1, the Bears need to get tough and also demand a third-rounder.

Pittsburgh has the 80th pick, as well, right in the heart of Round 3. The Bears need to ask for the Steelers' first-, one second-round pick and the third-round pick.

The Steelers have apparently decided they can't live without Carter, if these reports are true. They should be willing to part with that grouping. They would still have the 32nd pick in Round 2.

2. Get Even Tougher

The Bears should actually demand they get the 32nd pick back from the Steelers, the one they traded for Claypool, and not the 49th pick. They don't need to ask for the third-round pick, too, but they can.

If the Steelers want Carter, they should pay through the nose.

They should feel fortunate they aren't asked to pay the 32nd and 49th picks or 32nd and the third-rounder (No. 80).

3. Take Carter, Tough Luck

Carter visited the Bears twice and fits perfectly in their scheme at a need position.

It's not just a need position, it's the position that defines this scheme Matt Eberflus has the defense playing. So they definitely can use Carter.

What the Bears should do is draft Carter, talk to the Steelers about getting everything they possibly can for him. This would be the 17th pick in Round 1, the 32nd pick, maybe a third-rounder (No. 80) and then if they don't get that, just keep him.

They can deal with getting an offensive tackle with one of their picks between 52-64. Poles is supposed to be able to produce offensive linemen out of thin air. He practically did it with Braxton Jones last year.

It's set up for Bears success. Either they keep the special talent at a need position, or they trade him for a draft ransom. 

In reality, Poles can turn this into another version of his trade back from the No. 1 position, and reap all kinds of rewards.

Either way, the Steelers only come out happy at all if they trade for that ransom. Then they would, at least, have Carter. Otherwise, they'll get nothing and like it. They'll have to be content with drafting someone at No. 17 and it might not even be the tackle they want.

So Poles could get a bit of satisfaction either way after the shots he took for the Claypool trade with Pittsburgh, and the Bears will have either Carter or another draft haul. In that way, they can't lose.

Twitter: BearDigest@BearsOnMaven