Titans Mentioned as Possible Trade Partner With Bears For No. 1 Overall Pick

As rumors start to buzz around the NFL regarding the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft, the Tennessee Titans may be linked with the Chicago Bears to a potential trade for the first overall selection in April's draft.

NASHVILLE — Between now and April, there will be plenty of speculation regarding the 2023 NFL Draft. One of the more intriguing topics of discussion will be surrounding what the Chicago Bears decide to do with the first overall pick. With Chicago likely sticking with quarterback Justin Fields, the No. 1 pick may be available for quarterback-needy teams.

Currently, the Tennessee Titans hold the No. 11 selection in this year's draft and may want to move up to secure their potential quarterback of the future. Moving up 10 spots would be quite the jump for the Titans and newly hired GM Ran Carthon, and would almost certainly cost quite a bit in draft capital and possibly even a player or two as well.

Update: One of the inquiring teams is the #Titans who have the 11th pick in the #NFLDraft2023

— Ben Devine (@Chicago_NFL) February 3, 2023

With that in mind, such a bold move may be what Tennessee needs as the team looks toward its future at the quarterback position. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who recently underwent ankle surgery, is under contract through the 2023 season and is currently the team's starter going forward.

Tannehill, whose ankle injury lingered throughout much of last season, threw for just 2,536 yards and had a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 13:6. The veteran quarterback is expected to be at full strength far ahead of the start of the 2023 season.

Meanwhile, despite showing some flashes during the 2022 season, second-year quarterback Malik Willis is going to need time to grow, and it may be some time before the Titans know whether the third-round selection out of Liberty in 2022 can be the long-term answer in Tennessee.

One could make the case that the Titans have much more drastic needs outside of quarterback, though, and it may be wiser to stay put at No. 11 and select a player who would fill more of an immediate need for the team. Tennessee could use help at wide receiver and along the offensive line.

Not a single Titans' wide receiver surpassed the 1,000-yard mark last season, and inconsistencies at the position really hurt the team down the stretch. Robert Woods was Tennessee's leader in receiving yards with 527. The next-highest was rookie tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo, who totaled just 450 receiving yards.

Tennessee is still looking for a new offensive coordinator. Perhaps the Titans will look to bring in an OC who can play more to the strengths of Tannehill and Willis next season and look to free agency and the draft to address much more important needs for the 2023 season.

In theory, while trading for the first overall selection may sound like the right thing to do, a trade of that magnitude would almost certainly cost multiple picks in the next two drafts, and it may be within Tennessee's best interests to address much more important needs within their roster with the capital they currently have.

The Titans finished 7-10 last year, missing out on the playoffs in the final week of the season when they lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

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