ESPN suggests Bears-Jets NFL Draft trade bombshell

We are so close to the 2026 NFL Draft, which is essentially the beginning of the new season. As soon as these rookies hear their names called, and others who sign after the draft, they will begin the rookie mini camp just a few months later. With just over a week until the draft, many NFL insiders and draft experts are determining which teams will be involved in early-round trades. Some expect a record number of trades that weekend.

On Tuesday, ESPN’s Bill Barnwell shared his latest NFL Draft article, highlighting which teams should/could make trades in Round 1. In this instance, Barnwell mentions the possibility of the Chicago Bears and the New York Jets agreeing to a trade. It should be noted that Barnwell also believes that the Jets could trade up if they don’t agree to trade down with the Bears. However, the focus here is on these two teams.

“Poles was able to extract a strong return for DJ Moore from the Bills, landing a second-round pick for a player the Bears probably wanted to dump for cash and cap purposes. The Bears have pick Nos. 25, 57, 60, and 89 over the first two days of the draft, and though they shouldn’t be treating this as an all-in opportunity, this regime has a chance to move up and target a much-needed difference-maker up front.”

“By the Jimmy Johnson chart, packaging No. 25 with the 60th pick they landed from the Bills should be enough to get the Bears up to No. 16, where the Jets could be interested in trading down and adding more selections. They would also jump the Lions in the process, a division rival who should be looking at edge rushers with their first selection. There’s nothing wrong with staying put and holding on to both second-rounders, of course, but this could be an opportunity for Poles to both hit his biggest position of need and steal an opportunity away from a divisional foe in the process.”

Anything can happen. Stay tuned!