Andy Reid Reveals Why Bears Were Big Winners Of #1 Pick Trade

Andy Reid has been around the NFL for a long time. He’s been a head coach since 1999 and has done tons of winning over the past 24 years. In that span, he has learned how to approach executing a draft. One could argue he’s one of the more successful coaches at evaluating talent in recent history. One thing he’s learned is the value of trading back in the 1st round. Since 2003 through 2023, Reid’s teams have moved down from their initial 1st round pick a total of three times.

All three brought benefits in different ways.

In 2007, they moved down from 26th overall into the 2nd round at 36th, picking up 3rd and 5th rounders in the process. That 3rd rounder became a decent linebacker Stewart Bradley while the 2nd was used on quarterback Kevin Kolb. They eventually traded Kolb to Arizona for two 2nd round picks. One of those became a productive pass rusher, Vinny Curry.

In 2008, Reid moved down again, this time from 19th to 43rd, snagging a 1st round pick in 2009 from Carolina. The Eagles would package that pick in a deal with Buffalo for eventual All-Pro left tackle Jason Peters.

Last but not least, Reid moved down in 2016 from 28th overall to 37th in the 2nd round. While the extra 4th and 6th round picks did lead to much, they still snagged future Hall of Fame defensive lineman Chris Jones. So it wasn’t a surprise the head coach expressed admiration via the Chicago Tribune for Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles’ move down from 1st overall.

In his mind, the organization stands to benefit in a huge way.

“Ryan did a great job with us,” Reid said Monday. “He worked his tail off. He was very organized. He’s smart. And I think he’s going to do great with Chicago. What he just did with the trade was big.”

“You’re gaining picks,” he said. “And when you gain picks, you gain players. (Ryan) has also shown the trust in the quarterback he has there now (with Justin Fields). And now he gave himself an opportunity to add more players and he didn’t have to move down that far. So they are still in position to get a good football player (at No. 9).”

Andy Reid sees the total picture.

The Bears are in a good spot at 9th overall. That pick has a strong history of producing good players. Since 2010, it has secured the likes of Tyron Smith, Luke Kuechly, Anthony Barr, Mike McGlinchey, and Patrick Surtain II. If Poles is reasonably decent at his job, he can land a productive player there. After that, all the Bears would have to do is land another good player with one of the three additional picks they got in the trade. If they do so, it will be remembered as a major success for the franchise.

It’s easy to say Andy Reid is biased. He worked with Poles for years in Kansas City. That said, his track record for identifying future solid general managers is pretty strong. He advocated for both Tom Heckert and Howie Roseman in Philadelphia. Heckert was very good for the Eagles and then had three productive years in Cleveland. Roseman might be the best GM in the NFL right now. Reid then helped Brett Veach get elevated in Kansas City, and the pair have won two Super Bowls together.

He can’t predict who the Bears will take, but he believes their approach is sound.