Falcons Trade for Caleb Williams as No. 1 Draft? 'Historic Haul' is Bears Price

'Crazy!' Atlanta Falcons Trade for Caleb Williams as No. 1 Draft? 'Historic Haul' is Chicago Bears Price

The Chicago Bears currently control the 2024 NFL Draft, and if the Atlanta Falcons want to move up to do business by getting the No. 1 overall pick?

The way-up move might be a way-expensive one.

It is clear that the Bears, while linked to USC QB Caleb Williams, are also listening to ideas about trading the No. 1 pick. Part of that is because they already have Justin Fields on their roster ... though he too could be tradeable.

And part of that is because of the "historic" trade package the Bears want the world to know that would be required for them to part ways with the top pick.

"Chicago would need a historic haul of draft picks and overall compensation to move off the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, sources say," NFL Network's Ian Rapoport wrote. "In the words of one source, it would have to be 'crazy.'"

Our man Rap Sheet is surely on the money here. At the same time, make no mistake: There is a reason Chicago wants this info out there ... just like they have "leaked" to ESPN's Adam Schefter in a way that has him reading his cue card by saying he expects the Bears to use the top pick in the draft on Williams.

The best way to get the best price in trade for Williams, considered by many to be the best player in the April Draft? Insist that it would take something "crazy" to get the Bears to "change our minds" ... and then hope that the offers begin at the "crazy" level.

What does "crazy" mean? Atlanta owns the No. 8 overall pick. That's the start.

Now look at last year at this time. In March 2023, the Panthers traded their first-round (No. 9) and second-round (61) picks, their 2024 first-round pick (currently No. 2) and receiver D.J. Moore (their 2018 first-rounder) to the Bears for the No. 1 overall pick so they could draft Alabama quarterback Bryce Young.

Falcons Trade for Williams Must Be For No. 1 Pick

Add it up: That is essentially the equivalent of three first-rounders and two second-rounders for the top overall pick. "Crazy," indeed - but it happened a year ago. ... And if the Bears don't want Williams to be the face of their franchise (opting instead for Fields or another move), they will obviously listen to offers ... ranging all the way up to "crazy" all over again.