Bears fail at Ashton Jeanty pursuit as Raiders draft next star RB

The Chicago Bears had generated so much Ashton Jeanty buzz that they were the betting favorite to land him entering Thursday's NFL Draft first round.

That was despite them sitting in the No. 10 slot and absolutely needing to trade up to get him.

The Bears were reportedly in deep discussions to do just that.

But Chicago couldn't get it done, and they didn't get their guy.

Instead, the Raiders chose Jeanty at No. 6.

The Bears stayed at No. 10.

Chicago's chances of trading up may have been altered when Jacksonville, at No. 5, traded with the Browns at No. 2 to go up and get Travis Hunter.

Cleveland reportedly then took calls at No. 5 to move down, but they stayed and took Michigan DT Mason Graham.

That left the Bears without a path to Jeanty.

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It's not the end of the world for Chicago. They'll have a chance to draft a player at a more premium position than running back.

But it still stings.

Jeanty will be the favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year as the unquestioned Raiders starter in the backfield with new QB Geno Smith.

It could've been cool to see that with Caleb Williams in Chicago. But it wasn't meant to be.

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