Quarterback Drake Maye is generating buzz as a top prospect in the upcoming NFL draft. There is speculation that the Chicago Bears may trade down just one spot from the No. 1 overall pick and still be able to select Maye, who is considered an elite quarterback prospect. This idea has gained traction following the hiring of Shane Waldron as the Bears’ new offensive coordinator and Kliff Kingsbury as the Washington Commanders’ offensive coordinator.
Derrik Klassen, a quarterback analyst/guru for the 33rd Team, believes that both Maye and Caleb Williams, the top two quarterback prospects in the draft, would fit well in Waldron’s offensive scheme. While many analysts and insiders believe that the Bears will select Williams with the No. 1 pick, the situation has become more intriguing with Kingsbury’s move to Washington. Kingsbury and Williams have a close relationship from their time together at USC, leading to speculation that the Commanders, who hold the No. 2 pick, may offer the Bears a trade package to swap picks.
Klassen believes that Waldron can find success with both Williams and Maye. He sees Maye as a quarterback who aligns more closely with the style of quarterbacks who have thrived in Waldron’s offense, which is influenced by Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay. According to Klassen, Maye shares similarities with Geno Smith, who played under Waldron, and Matthew Stafford, who plays under McVay. Maye is described as a tall, strong-armed passer who is not afraid to take risks and aggressively push the ball down the field.
In college, Maye had an impressive completion rate of 64.8% over his last two seasons. He averaged 3,964 passing yards per season, throwing 62 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. He also showcased his ability as a runner, scoring 16 rushing touchdowns. The idea of the Bears trading down one spot to acquire Maye, while also receiving a second-round pick in the current year and Washington’s first-round pick in the following year, has gained support among some analysts.
Overall, the potential pairing of Maye with the Bears and Waldron’s offensive scheme has become a hot topic in the lead-up to the draft. The intrigue surrounding the potential trade and the fit between Maye and the Bears’ offense has captured the attention of fans and analysts alike.
Bears’ Draft Dilemma: Should They Trade Down for Maye?
The Bears’ upcoming draft decision has sparked an intriguing debate between The Ringer’s Danny Heifetz and PFF’s Brad Spielberger. Spielberger suggests that trading down, similar to the Jayson Tatum-Boston Celtics deal, could be a smart move for Chicago.
To provide some context, back in 2017, the Celtics won the NBA draft lottery and traded their No. 1 pick to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for the No. 3 pick and a future first-round selection. The Celtics then selected Tatum, who has since become an All-Star player.
Heifetz agrees with Spielberger’s idea, stating, “If Chicago can move back one spot and get Maye, and also get a 2nd rounder this year and Washington’s first next year, they should do it.”
This conversation has also caught the attention of others, including Brad Spielberger, who tweeted, “Had this convo with someone the other day (and fwiw I think Caleb is QB1). If Chicago pulled off a Jayson Tatum to Celtics type move it would be epic, and is very much in the cards in this scenario.”
In a recent mock draft by Alex Shapiro of NBC Sports, he explores a potential trade scenario for the Bears to acquire Maye at the No. 2 spot. According to Shapiro’s mock, the Bears would trade their No. 1 overall pick, No. 110 overall pick, and a 2025 fifth-round pick to Washington in exchange for the No. 2 pick, No. 40 overall pick this year, 2025 first- and fourth-round picks, and another future first-rounder. While this is just a hypothetical scenario, it presents a realistic possibility.
The Bears’ general manager, Ryan Poles, and his team are diligently evaluating all the top quarterbacks in the draft. However, they find themselves in a unique and advantageous position.
According to Klassen, a sports analyst, “The Bears can’t make a ‘wrong’ choice either way. Both Williams and Maye are prospects worthy of the first overall pick. Williams brings creativity and arm elasticity that hardly exists in any other quarterback. Maye offers the familiarity of what this offense had with Smith and the do-or-die mentality that can separate the good from the great.”
As the Bears weigh their options, the question remains: Should they trade down for Maye? Only time will tell what decision they ultimately make.