Another Signing On The Way: Bears’ Trade Proposal With Desperate AFC Squad Lands Team All-Pro DB,

Consider a Chicago Bears secondary with two All-Pro cornerbacks, Jaylon Johnson and Patrick Surtain II.

While it may seem like a long shot, many NFL insiders indicate the Denver Broncos and head coach Sean Payton are considering trading for the first overall pick.

According to Cecil Lammey of DenverSports.com and Sportskeedia’s Tony Pauline, the Broncos are interested in moving up to choose a quarterback.

“Many in the scouting world believe Sean Payton has something cooking for the early portion of the #NFLDraft,” Lammey posted on X, before later posting the following: “The NFL feels Payton is going to move up, whatever. Do not inquire about compensation. Some believe it won’t matter because SP won’t wait for QB. “He wants his guy now.”

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell also put together a trade proposal that he believes may persuade the Bears to transfer the first pick to Denver: Surtain, the 12th choice in the first round this year, and second- and third-round picks in 2025.
Bill Barnwell on the Bears acquiring Pat Surtain via trade: Matt Eberflus Could Have the NFL’s Top Defence.
“The Broncos have already lost years of draft capital and are down many picks in this round, so they virtually have to include players to move up from No. 12 to No. 1. On February 1, Barnwell wrote, “The only player who would move the needle is star cornerback Pat Surtain II, who may appear to be a luxury in a defence that plays as much zone as the Bears.”

With Johnson coming off the best year of his career and looking for a new contract, Barnwell concedes that paying two young corners high salary may not be ideal. Nonetheless, he feels defensive-minded head coach Matt Eberflus will find this alternative very appealing.

“Chicago might also not want to pay two cornerbacks as much as Surtain and Jaylon Johnson will combine to get on their next contracts, but if Eberflus wants to field the NFL’s best defence, getting a top-three cornerback isn’t going to hurt,” Barnwell said.

Reports that the Broncos are desperate to move up are intriguing, and if Denver offers a trade package that Bears GM Ryan Poles cannot refuse, it is a possibility — albeit a tiny one.

“Payton wants a great passer, such as Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, or Jayden Daniels. On January 31, Pauline wrote: “I spoke at length about this with several people.”

“I was able to confirm the Broncos are interested in trading up for their quarterback of the future, but such a deal would come at an incredible cost and is highly unlikely to materialize,” Pauline stated, saying that any massive trade like this “would almost certainly include cornerback Patrick Surtain. I’m told that while the franchise does not want to trade Surtain, they would consider moving the corner as a last resort to secure one of the best passers.”

Bears Are Already Loaded at CB.
Adding Surtain is certainly an intriguing idea. Surtain, the ninth overall pick for Denver in 2021, has yet to miss a game in his three seasons in the league and was selected a first-team All-Pro in 2022. He recorded 69 tackles, 12 passes defensed, and one interception in 17 games this season. Surtain is widely regarded as one of the league’s greatest cover corners and would be a valuable addition to any squad.

The problem is that the Bears already have a roster full of promising young cornerbacks.

In addition to Johnson, Chicago has Tyrique Stevenson, who is coming off a good rookie season, and Kyler Gordon, who shined in the slot during his second season last year.

Stevenson’s playmaking skills improved during the season, despite some setbacks. He recorded 86 total tackles (one for loss), two forced fumbles, 16 pass breakups, and four interceptions. With three years remaining on his rookie contract, it would be strange to say the least if Chicago signed another top corner looking for a huge payday.

So, while adding a player with Surtain’s resume is appealing, the Bears are unlikely to entertain the idea.