Ryan Poles gets brutally honest on Chicago Bears’ trade up fail

The Chicago Bears entered the 2025 NFL Draft class with four picks inside the top 75. Holding plenty of valuable draft capital, rumors began to swirl about the Bears trading up. However, Chicago decided to stay put at No. 10 and select tight end Colston Loveland.

Depending on how high they went up the board, the Bears could’ve put themselves in contention for players such as Abdul Carter or Ashton Jeanty. But at the same time, it would’ve cost Chicago a significant amount. The Jacksonville Jaguars gave up a second-rounder and their 2026 first-rounder to go from No. 5 to No. 2. Imagine if the Bears jumped up that high from No. 10?

Still, general manager Ryan Poles was trying to make a move, aggressively picking up the phones as the clock started ticking down. In the end, Poles felt it just, “didn’t make sense,” to trade up the board, via Courtney Cronin of ESPN.

“When we made those calls up, it took you out,” Poles said. “I briefly mentioned this on Tuesday – there’s a run coming up here that I think you can make a pretty big impact on your football team. To give that up for one person, so giving up two for one – and it probably would’ve been even more than that – it just didn’t make sense.”

Bears GM Ryan Poles on why they didn’t trade up pic.twitter.com/8kUp87NQD5

— Dave (@dave_bfr) April 25, 2025

Chicago Bears, Ryan Poles don’t get baited into first-round trade up 

By the time the Bears picked at No. 10, numerous of their top options were already off the board. Will Campbell went No. 4 to the New England Patriots while Jeanty went No. 6 to the Las Vegas Raiders. Then both Armand Membou and Kelvin Banks were selected No. 7 by the New York Jets and No. 9 by the New Orleans Saints respectively.

With the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants open for business, the Bears could’ve theoretically avoided the issue entirely by moving up. But the mammoth offer would’ve completely changed Chicago’s draft plans. While they have a playmaker in Loveland in place, the Bears already are planning how to fill their roster.

Losing Jeanty was a massive blow to the offense; although him even being with the Bears was all theoretical. However, it took Chicago out of the running for a first-round running back; at least at No. 10. With either their No. 39 or No. 41 draft pick, it wouldn’t be shocking to see the franchise use either selection at running back.

The same remains true for both offensive and defensive lines. With Campbell, Membou and Banks off the board, all of Chicago’s top options were gone. They decided Loveland fit their roster better than a player like Mykel Williams or Jalon Walker. Both sides of the trenches still need more fortification. The Bears will certainly be on the look out through the middle rounds.

If Chicago had agreed to a trade up, those possibilities would dry up in a hurry. They’d have a player that many consider elite in the 2025 class. However, they wouldn’t be able to address other areas of roster concern with as high talent of prospects. While the Bears have gotten plenty of hype entering 2025, they’re still coming off of a 5-12 campaign. The team knows they need more than just one player to get back into contention.

Loveland’s selection certainly raised eyebrows on night one. But if Chicago comes through with a versatile and well-rounded draft class, Poles’ decision not to trade up will be heralded.