Bears Trade Rumors: Chicago 'Very Open for Business' with 9th Pick in 2024 NFL Draft

It's a lock that USC quarterback Caleb Williams will be going No. 1 overall to the Chicago Bears, but it's unclear what the team will be doing at No. 9.

One possibility is that the Bears don't even stay there at all, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported on Thursday: "The Chicago Bears are very open for business at No. 9 and telling teams they are ready to move for the right price, a league source said."

Chicago is looking to improve upon a 7-10 season that saw the team go 5-3 over its final eight games. General manager Ryan Poles has already made some big moves to bolster the roster, namely trading for Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen.

The Bears also added some weapons in running back D'Andre Swift and tight end Gerald Everett.

So Williams is in good shape as he joins Chicago. The Bears can continue to add weapons for him at No. 9, especially if a talent such as Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze falls to them.

Or Chicago can focus on the defensive side. The top 10 should be filled with quarterbacks and wide receivers going early and often, leading to some blue-chip defensive prospects falling down the draft. Chicago can stand pat, select one and improve the defense.

But at least one team is hungry for a move up to the top 10 in the Los Angeles Rams, and another NFC West squad (the San Francisco 49ers) has had top-10 discussions as well, per Russini:

If the price is right, perhaps the Bears trade down, stockpile more talent and keep building around Williams.

Ultimately, Chicago is in a great spot. Not only are the Bears getting a franchise quarterback, but they also may find themselves with a lot of leverage at No. 9 to trade down and get a huge haul. Failing that, they'll still get a great player by staying put.