Bears Reportedly Trying to Trade Up in 2025 NFL Draft Amid Ashton Jeanty Rumors

The Chicago Bears are trying to trade up from No. 10 overall in hopes of landing Boise State running back and Heisman finalist Ashton Jeanty, per The Athletic's Dianna Russini.

Jeanty, who finished second in the 2024 Heisman Trophy race, led the nation with 2,739 yards from scrimmage and 30 touchdowns last season.

Sportsbook movement is trending toward Jeanty going No. 5 overall, but they are also trending toward Chicago picking him there. The Jacksonville Jaguars currently occupy the No. 5 spot in the draft.

Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk reported the latest on Thursday.

"At multiple sportsbooks, the Bears are now favored to take Jeanty — and Jeanty is still favored to go off the board at No. 5 overall. That would require a trade between the Bears, who currently own the No. 10 pick, and the Jaguars, who currently own the No. 5 pick.

"There have been no reports about the Bears and Jaguars working on a trade, but often when betting odds shift dramatically, that’s a sign that someone knows something."

One can connect some dots here, too. Russini reported that sources tell her that the Jaguars are expected to "make a splash." A trade down with the Bears to acquire more picks could very well be that splash.

Jeanty would be a huge pickup for new head coach Ben Johnson, who is tasked with jump-starting an offense that was a bitter disappointment last year. Johnson was a mastermind for the Detroit Lions as their offensive coordinator for the past three seasons. Detroit had a strong run game each year, never better than 2024, when Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery led the way.

Jeanty could be the engine of the Bears' offense, which needs more help around franchise quarterback and 2024 No. 1 overall draft pick Caleb Williams. But it seems Chicago is going to have to trade up to get the No. 6 overall player on the B/R NFL Scouting Department big board.