Vikings Rivals Demand “Historic” Haul for First Overall Pick
To Vikings fans’ chagrin, the Chicago Bears currently hold the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
This selection puts the Vikings rivals in prime position to select one of the top QB prospects this spring, or, if they want to continue to move forward with Justin Fields, they could trade it away for the second consecutive season.
How much could the Bears get if they do opt to trade away this pick? Well, recent reports are suggesting that Chicago is demanding an “historic” haul of compensation in exchange for the selection.
Vikings Rivals Demand “Historic” Haul for First Overall Pick
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network recently wrote an article outlining the demands from Chicago for this selection. Rapoport had the following to say regarding what he’s hearing about a potential trade:
If someone is going to pry the No. 1 overall selection away from the Bears, they are going to have to pay — and pay a lot.
Chicago would need a historic haul of draft picks and overall compensation to move off the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, sources say. In the words of one source, it would have to be “crazy.”
This makes sense considering the talent at the QB position this spring (Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Jayden Daniels are widely believed to be taken very early in the draft). Given the importance of that spot in today’s NFL, there should be high demand from QB-needy teams, and the Bears have all the leverage in the world in this situation.
Last offseason, Chicago was able to snag the ninth overall pick in the 2023 Draft, No. 61, a 2024 first-round pick (No. 1 overall), a 2025 second-round pick, and WR D.J. Moore from the Carolina Panthers. With that pick, Carolina opted to select Bryce Young out of Alabama, who had far more questions coming out of college than Williams does.
If nobody is willing to give Chicago the amount of picks that they want in order to part ways with the first overall selection this year, they very well could trade Justin Fields, too. The QB totaled 2562 passing yards, 16 passing TDs, and nine interceptions over 13 games in 2023 while also rushing for 657 yards and four TDs.
Rapoport commented on this possibility as well, writing:
If Chicago does decide to take the former Heisman Trophy winner in Williams, they would almost certainly trade Justin Fields to the highest bidder in what should be an active and fertile market. Fields, who hit his stride in the second half of this season and should command considerable interest, received plenty of support this week from teammates (DJ Moore is one example) with hopes of him sticking in Chicago.
Yet for the Bears, the rare opportunity to pick No. 1 might trump how impressed they have been with Fields. Chicago loved Fields’ improvement this year and views his makeup as rare, sources say. He brought his team together, he works incredibly hard and he’s a leader. But if it’s about winning a Super Bowl, does Williams (who will be on a rookie deal for at least three seasons) give the team a better shot? Fields, who the Bears selected No. 11 overall in 2021, would almost certainly require a contract extension at some point soon if he stayed.
Back in January, GM Ryan Poles called Chicago’s QB situation “unique,” and he remained rather noncommittal to Fields despite saying that he saw improvements from the quarterback this season.
The Vikings hold the 11th overall pick in 2024, and they could very well be a team looking to move up for a quarterback prospect.
Editor’s Note: Statistics for this article were found via Pro Football Reference.
Would the Vikings Dare Target a CB in the First Round of the 2024 NFL Draft?
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys running, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.
You must be logged in to post a comment.