In Chicago, the Bears made an intriguing move during the 2025 NFL Draft, where they attempted to trade up just one spot to grab TreVeyon Henderson, a standout running back from Ohio State. General Manager Ryan Poles had his eyes set on Henderson, who has been frequently compared to Detroit Lions’ star, Jahmyr Gibbs. However, the New England Patriots decided to hold onto their 38th overall pick instead of trading it to the Bears, and they selected Henderson themselves.
It has now come to light what Poles was willing to offer the Patriots to move up. He proposed to trade the Bears’ 39th overall pick along with a seventh-round pick for New England’s 38th pick. This offer was easily declined by the Patriots. While securing Henderson could have been a significant headline for the Bears in the draft, their decision to stick with the original pick may work in their favor.
Instead of Henderson, the Bears selected Luther Burden III at No. 39 and also decided on Kyle Monangai, a former Rutgers star, who has similar yet distinct qualities to Henderson. Monangai, known for his physical running style, might provide more to the Bears’ offense than Henderson could have. While Henderson is recognized as a home run hitter, Monangai runs with a powerful style that can wear down defenses as games progress.
Monangai’s journey from being a seventh-round pick to a starting role in the NFL will be quite challenging. However, he has shown that he can be a tough, hard-nosed runner, a quality that the Bears were missing during the previous season. If he steps up to the occasion, Poles may find himself grateful that the Patriots declined his trade offer.
This unfolding scenario highlights the unpredictability of the draft and the importance of strategic decisions by teams. The Bears’ future may hinge on how well Burden and Monangai perform together as they look to enhance Chicago’s offense in the 2025 season.
