It’s draft day, and the Chicago Bears are making waves even before the first round kicks off tonight. With the NFL Draft just hours away at 12:35 PM CDT on Thursday, April 24, 2025, the Bears are reportedly looking to shake things up. General manager Ryan Poles seems to have his eyes set on Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, the Heisman Trophy runner-up, and the buzz is that Chicago is ready to make a bold move to get him. The Bears currently hold the No. 10 pick, but waiting around might not be an option if they want to land a player as coveted as Jeanty.
The rumor mill is in full swing, and it’s clear the Bears aren’t content to sit back and hope Jeanty falls to them. Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reported yesterday that a league source texted him saying the Bears are “looking to move up” from their No. 10 spot. Another source told Leonard that six teams ahead of Chicago in the draft order are open to moving back, which could give the Bears a clear path to jump up. ESPN’s Adam Schefter added fuel to the fire earlier this week, noting that people around the NFL believe the Bears are “praying” Jeanty slips to No. 10. But with the demand for the star running back heating up, it doesn’t seem like Poles is willing to take that chance.
There’s good reason for the Bears to be aggressive. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler recently called the Jacksonville Jaguars a “sleeper” team for Jeanty at No. 5, and he also mentioned that Jeanty “would love” to play for the Las Vegas Raiders, who pick at No. 6. That puts two teams directly in Chicago’s way if they want to secure Jeanty. NFL insider Albert Breer echoed this sentiment on NBC Sports Boston’s Early Edition, saying that teams like the Bears, who are in the top 10, might be looking to move up specifically for a running back like Jeanty. Even Poles himself hinted at the possibility of a chaotic draft, saying he expects things to be “wild” tonight. That’s not just GM-speak—it sounds like the Bears are in the thick of trade discussions, both with other teams and around the league.
Jeanty would be a perfect fit for the Bears, and it’s easy to see why Poles is so eager to make a move. Chicago has already made significant offseason moves to bolster their offensive line, bringing in veterans like Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, which sets up a strong foundation for a dynamic running game. New head coach Ben Johnson, who thrived as the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator with a two-back system featuring Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, could work wonders with Jeanty alongside current Bears running back D’Andre Swift. Jeanty’s college tape is the stuff of legend—he racked up 2,601 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns in 2024 at Boise State, showing off elite vision, power, and elusiveness that could translate to the NFL right away. For a Bears team looking to give second-year quarterback Caleb Williams a game-changer in the backfield, Jeanty could be the piece that takes their offense to the next level.
The idea of trading up for a running back might raise eyebrows—conventional wisdom says the position isn’t worth a top-10 pick, especially with a deep 2025 running back class that includes names like North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton. But Jeanty isn’t your average prospect. He’s been compared to some of the best to ever do it, with scouts raving about his all-around game. If the Bears do pull off a trade—maybe with the Jaguars at No. 5, as some have speculated—it’d be a statement move for a franchise that’s desperate to turn things around. Poles has a history of trading down more often than up, but with two second-round picks in his pocket, he’s got the ammo to make a splash. Tonight’s draft is shaping up to be a wild one, and the Bears might just be at the center of it all.
