Draft - Football Wiretap

Bears Want To Move 'As Quickly As Possible' On Justin Fields' Decision

Feb 27, 2024 1:41 PM

The Chicago Bears hope to move "as quickly as possible" on whether they will draft a quarterback or go in another direction while keeping Justin Fields.

The Bears own the No. 1 pick in the draft for the second straight season. Last year, the Bears traded the pick to the Carolina Panthers, which led to the No. 1 pick this year.

"It just depends on what opportunities pop up," GM Ryan Poles said. "I will say this, I think you guys know me well enough now, if we go down that road, I want to do right by Justin as well. No one wants to live in gray, I know that's uncomfortable. I wouldn't want to be in that situation either. So, we will gather the information -- we will move as quickly as possible, [but] we are not going to be in a rush -- and see what presents itself and what's best for the organization."

Caleb Williams is widely considered the presumptive No. 1 pick in the draft.

Courtney Cronin/ESPN

Tags: Chicago Bears, Draft, Draft Misc, Misc Rumor, Trade Rumor

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D.J. Moore: QB Prospects In Draft Don't Compare To Justin Fields

Feb 27, 2024 9:01 AM

D.J. Moore remains steadfast in his belief that Justin Fields is the best option at quarterback for the Chicago Bears.

The Bears will take in the pool of quarterback prospects available in this year's draft at the NFL Scouting Combine this week.

"I still don't think they compare to Justin right now," Moore said.

Moore led the Bears with 96 catches for 1,364 yards and eight touchdowns, all career bests, while working with Fields.

"The relationship jelled real well from the beginning," Moore said about forming a bond with Fields following a trade last offseason." Since I got traded, he was in contact, and we started throwing together, so it made the transition into games and everything easy."

Bobby Kownack/NFL

Tags: Chicago Bears, Draft, Misc Rumor, Trade Rumor

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Rams Won't Attend Combine Despite Having First-Round Pick

Feb 23, 2024 9:18 AM

The Los Angeles Rams won't attend the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis next week despite actually having a first-round pick.

Sean McVay's Rams haven't attended the combine post-2020. However, in recent years the team has rarely had a first-round selection. L.A. hasn't had a first since they selected Jared Goff with the first overall pick in 2016.

The Rams have not put much emphasis on certain drills routinely run at the combine like the 40-yard dash. 

The Athletic

Tags: Los Angeles Rams, Draft, Misc Rumor

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Report: Caleb Williams Preparing For Draft Without Agent

Feb 22, 2024 9:43 AM

Caleb Williams hasn't hired an agent and intends to continue representing himself going into the 2024 NFL Draft, according to a report.

Williams is widely projected to be the first overall pick.

Lamar Jackson is the most notable NFL player to operate without an agent. He negotiated a record five-year, $260 million contract extension alongside his mother, Felicia Jones, last offseason.

NBC Sports

Tags: Draft, Misc Rumor

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Kyle Shanahan Had Fourth Round Grade On Brock Purdy At Draft

Feb 5, 2024 11:42 AM

In an interview with Peter King of NBC Sports, Kyle Shanahan discussed what went on in the draft room of the San Francisco 49ers leading up to their selection of Brock Purdy in April 2022.

The 49ers had the 32nd and final Compensatory Pick of the draft after C.J. Beathard had signed a cheap free agent deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars during the previous offseason. After trading multiple picks in the 2021 draft to trade up for Trey Lance, it was difficult for Shanahan to justify using another pick on a quarterback.

“I was sure Brock was worthy of the fourth round, and we put a fourth-round grade on him,” Shanahan said. “There was no way we could take him for our team. But we’re sitting there in the seventh, and all these picks go by, he’s still there. That’s when I get to hear our linebacker coaches, all the scouts, other coaches, everybody who’s talking, saying things like: I can’t believe my guy is still there in the seventh! I love this guy. Or, We got all these needs! You traded those ones last year! We don’t need a quarterback to be our third guy. Or, Kyle! We can still get him as a free agent. He’s not gonna get drafted. I mean, it’s all coming down on me.

“You hear all this stuff and the last thing you wanna be is the offensive head coach who’s like, ‘Nope, we’re taking my favorite quarterback.’ I get it—this linebacker, this running back might start for us This linebacker might be the next dude. I remember saying before the draft I wouldn’t be surprised if Brock was there in the seventh, or didn’t get drafted. Just how the NFL works.

“I’m always trying to check myself on this stuff. The pick’s coming up and I remember [club co-chair Dr. John York] asking, ‘Who’s the best player out there?’ I go, ‘Well, there’s no doubt Purdy’s the best player.’ He goes, ‘Then what are we talking about?’ I was like, ‘Well, there’s other spots. Also, we might be able to get him as a free agent for $10,000 after the draft.’ Dr. York can’t believe it. He’s looking at me like, I don’t get why there’s discussion if you guys think he’s the best player.

“Then it gets closer. I’m also getting the feeling we’re not getting Purdy as a free agent because there are so many other teams who are going to try to sign him. He wasn’t coming to us. He’s told me since then he was signing somewhere else. I said in the room, ‘Let’s not risk it. This guy’s too good.’

“John and I, we took Purdy. And thank God we did.”

Peter King/NBC Sports

Tags: San Francisco 49ers, Draft, Draft Misc, Misc Rumor

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