JUST IN:The Chicago Bears are taking a unique approach to their NFL Draft strategy this year by organizing a debate among their staff members.

It’s widely expected that Caleb Williams will be selected first overall by the Chicago Bears in the upcoming NFL Draft. However, the NFC North organization also holds the ninth overall pick in the draft.

The Chicago Bears have multiple options with their second top-10 selection in the upcoming NFL Draft. They could choose to go in various directions or opt to trade back to acquire additional draft capital for later rounds.

To decide on the best course of action, the Bears are taking a unique approach: holding a debate among their staff members. In this process, the staff will divide into teams, akin to a high school group project. Each team will be assigned the task of presenting a case for a specific player or position, allowing for a thorough exploration of all possibilities.

According to general manager Ryan Poles, the Chicago Bears have identified three primary positions for discussion. Two of these positions are on offense, while one is on defense.

Once each “team” has constructed their case, they will present their findings to the rest of the Bears’ management team. This structured approach allows for comprehensive evaluation and informed decision-making regarding the team’s draft strategy.

Poles has also kept the possibility of a trade open. With this year’s draft class being particularly deep at wide receiver, there may be an opportunity for the Bears to trade back and potentially acquire two players of value for the price of one.

Adding to the intrigue of the top 10 picks, it’s highly likely that a quarterback could be selected in each of the first four spots, meaning that the non-quarterback portion of the draft may not commence until the fifth pick. This scenario could leave a considerable pool of talent available when Chicago is on the clock at No. 9.

As Williams is expected to be the first player drafted on April 25, replacing Justin Fields, the Bears face the decision of whether to add a pass-catcher or a player to protect him, or perhaps neither.