The Chicago Bears made a blockbuster trade on Friday, and the NFL world is buzzing.
Chicago traded the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft to the Carolina Panthers. In return, the Bears received several picks, including No. 9 and No. 61 in this year’s draft. They received several future picks as well as star wide receiver D.J. Moore.
Now that Chicago is drafting ninth, speculation that the team might draft Bryce Young to replace Justin Fields can now finally cease. But not all draft speculation has gone away. No, the big trade has only fueled more intense speculation now that we know where the Bears are going to pick.
One name that’s being thrown around? Bears fans have their eyes on Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Smith-Njigba wasn’t going to be the man at No. 1, but he could be at No. 9. The thought of JSN playing with the Bears and with Justin Fields again was something many were getting excited over.
“The Law Offices of Moore & Smith-Njigba coming soon,” tweeted Scott Lewis, a Chicago fan and host of the popular Bears podcast, ’79th & Halas.’
“Unless Jalen Carter is there at 9, take either Jaxon Smith-Njigba or one of the tackles (Skoronski/Johnson) and let’s thrive brothers,” tweeted CBS’ Shehan Jeyarajah.
“Honestly? I’m still drafting Jaxon Smith-Njigba if I’m the Bears,” tweeted Christian Williams.
Ohio State beat writer Dan Hope said the move would put them in a position to draft either Smith-Njigba or lineman Paris Johnson Jr.
It’s crucial to note that it’s all speculation until Draft Day. But it’s very clear that Chicago Bears fans, who are very celebratory right now, have their eye on one man come the night of the first round.
About Chris Novak
Chris Novak has been talking and writing about sports ever since he can remember. Previously, Novak wrote for and managed sites in the SB Nation network for nearly a decade from 2013-2022