The NFL Draft has nearly arrived, and Chicago Bears fans are full of hope heading into a new season.
Forget the 10-game losing streak, or the 5-12 overall record, or the fact that Caleb Williams' rookie season went a little bit sideways. With new head coach Ben Johnson and a revamped offensive line, the Bears are thinking playoffs.
In Thursday's draft, the Bears currently hold the 10th overall pick. But one NFL writer sees them getting creative and using that draft capital to land both a star pass-rusher and a future star in the backfield.
On Monday, Alan Goldsher of Bears on SI predicted the Bears would trade the number-10 pick and their third-rounder this year to the Cincinnati Bengals for the number-17 pick, a 2026 seventh-rounder, and defensive end Trey Hendrickson, the NFL sacks leader this past season.
"The Bears—who missed out on their true heartthrob, Ashton Jeanty—decide that Hendrickson and a slightly lesser first-round selection is a better option than prized OL stud Will Campbell," Goldsher wrote.
Then, with the 17th overall pick, Goldsher predicted that the Bears would select North Carolina running back, who rushed for 1,660 yards and 15 touchdowns with the Tar Heels this past season.
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"If Chicago walks away from day one with Hampton and Hendrickson, the rest of the NFC North will be, putting it succinctly, pissed," Goldsher wrote.
Hendrickson is entering the final year of his contract and will likely require an extension to secure a trade. But Hampton could be a star, and he'd be under team control at a low cost for the next four seasons.
It's certainly a bold play (if it happens, which it very well may not) for a Chicago team with visions of grandeur in 2025.
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