Chicago Bears urged to trade up for college superstar after CFP semifinal performance

General manager Ryan Poles and the Chicago Bears have invested significant resources over the past two offseasons, adding difference-making talent on offense and setting up a soft landing for No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams at quarterback, and could replicate that strategy on defense in the coming months.

If the Bears are looking to add game-altering talent, Poles and Chicago could aim to aggressively trade up in the NFL Draft to acquire dynamic Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter.

Carter officially declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, following a stellar performance in Penn State’s heartbreaking 27-24 loss to Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl.

After Tuesday night’s Five tackle, one sack, and two tackle-for-loss effort while dealing with an injured shoulder, the All-American pass rusher finished his junior campaign with 68 total tackles, 12 sacks, and 24 tackles for loss in his final campaign in Happy Valley.

There’s a legitimate chance Carter goes off the board in the top-five picks in April’s draft.

However, after watching Carter play like the most dominant player on the field during the Orange Bowl and following a College Football Playoff run in which he posted two sacks, four tackles for loss, and eight tackles across three postseason games, Bears fans seem willing to pay whatever price to make him the centerpiece of a new-age Monsters of The Midway.

Here’s a sampling of Bears fans’ reaction to Carter’s strong showing:

IF Ian Cunningham gets Titans/Raiders job giving Bears two 3rds.

THEN I love the idea of a trade up to #5 (Jags) or #7 (Jets) for Abdul Carter.

Picks 1-4 seem locked with Sanders/Ward, Hunter, Tet. Jets/Jags don’t need EDGE. Raiders Panthers Saints are possible Carter spots.

— DJ (@SonOfCaleb) January 10, 2025

I’ve seen enough. Bears 💯 need to Trade up and draft Abdul Carter. 😮

— TJ Goebig (@GoebigTj) January 10, 2025

Hate to break it to y’all come hell or high water Abdul Carter is coming to Chicago. pic.twitter.com/lhsMoj0ifU

— The Bear Review (@The_Bear_Review) January 10, 2025

I wish the Bears could be in range for Abdul Carter.

— Matt Eurich (@MattEurich) January 10, 2025

Abdul Carter is the beast the Bears need.

Unfortunately, I don’t see him falling far enough for them to move up.

Probably needs to be an OL prospect or Mason Graham (doubt he falls either). pic.twitter.com/ZvNF8m5jOA

— Rob Schwarz Jr. (@ChiRuxinBGO) January 10, 2025

I know the Bears need an OL… but there are lots of things I would do for Abdul Carter to be in Chicago

— Conrad Hawley Burner (@conradisu) January 10, 2025