(670 The Score) Bears general manager Ryan Poles is staying “open-minded” about the possibility of trading the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, he said Wednesday at a season-ending press conference.
“I’m wide open to anything,” Poles said. “So if someone wants to call me with an idea, I’m open to it.”
This marks the second straight year the Bears have held the No. 1 overall pick. Last March, they traded the top selection to the Panthers in exchange for star receiver DJ Moore and a haul of draft capital.
In that case, the Bears acted earlier in the process leading up to the NFL Draft, which is held in late April. Poles doesn’t expect to follow the same timeline this time.
“It depends on what factors are in it, but in my mind right now, I’m going to take this all the way to April,” Poles said.
The No. 1 overall pick that the Bears hold this time around is from the Panthers as part of their trade last March. Chicago's own draft slot is No. 9 overall.
Poles also acknowledged that you can never be sure what offer could come your way, so even if he’s leaning one direction, it’s important to keep all his options open.
“What happened last year, I didn’t see ... for it to turn out the way that it did,” Poles said. “Again, I’ve got to stay open-minded.”
The NFL Draft will be held April 25-27.