The Chicago Bears are 5-1. It sounds crazy. Yet this reality. They sit in 1st place in the NFC North with a real chance to make the playoffs for the second time in three years. Yet people aren’t ready to take them seriously as a contender. Anybody who has watched them enough knows this is a fairly lopsided team.
They have a great defense with talent all over the place. On offense though? It’s not great. Allen Robinson is good. David Montgomery is decent. Darnell Mooney has potential. Nick Foles is a field general. None of that has been able to shine though. Some holes remain in this group. Too many.
It’s why a lot of people are calling on the team to be aggressive at the upcoming October 29th trade deadline. GM Ryan Pace isn’t usually known for mid-season moves, but this could be the year he makes an exception as his team gears up for a run.
What are some bold moves that could generate a legitimate impact?
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Bold Chicago Bears trade possibilities with the deadline ahead
Charles Leno Jr., a 2nd, and future 3rd to Falcons for OT Jake Matthews
Teams aren’t usually in the business of trading good left tackles. However, it does happen from time to time. All it takes is the right situation. The Atlanta Falcons are 1-5 and staring down the reality of a possible rebuild. They have a lot of veterans on their roster on the wrong side of 30. This could be the best time for them to start acquiring future draft assets.
That Jake Matthews BLOCK 😳#PHIvsATL (via @thecheckdown) pic.twitter.com/mOWtGhftAU
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 16, 2019
Jake Matthews is one of the guys they have who could fetch a nice pick in return. The Bears are in desperate need of help on their offensive line. So they package Charles Leno with their 2nd round choice in 2021 and 3rd in 2022 to the Falcons in exchange for the former Pro Bowler. He’s still just 28-years old and has missed just one game in his career. He’s also under contract through 2022.
A 3rd round pick to Jaguars for OL Brandon Linder
Losing James Daniels at left guard was always going to be damaging for the Bears. He was one of their best blockers. Considering how poor their offensive line was even with him? That’s a problem. Sure enough Rashaad Coward looked shaky filling in for him against Carolina, proving just how badly this team needs to shore up the interior.
Playing in Jacksonville makes it easy to get overlooked in the NFL. Especially as an offensive lineman. One guy who never gets enough love is Brandon Linder. Primarily a center for the Jaguars, he’s routinely credited with being one of the top pass blockers in the league as well as a strong zone-run-blocker. Jacksonville is 1-5 and squarely in rebuild mode.
Trading the 28-year old is probably in their best interests. The Bears could then plug him in at guard or shift Whitehair there and put Linder at center.
Anthony Miller and a 5th round pick to Jets for WR Jamison Crowder
The frustration is mounting with Anthony Miller. Once again the wide receiver can’t seem to stay out of his own. Through three games this season he has three dropped passes. That already matches the number he had in 2019. His poor decision that cost the Bears a first down in Carolina was another in a long list of question moments the 26-year old has had.
When he’s on, he can make some spectacular plays. The problem is the Bears didn’t draft him to be good sometimes. They expect him to be consistent. With Darnell Mooney ascending, it might be time to consider trading the former 2nd round pick.
What a catch by Jamison Crowder 😱
(via @nyjets)pic.twitter.com/OhrpZetPWx
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) October 2, 2020
Word is the New York Jets are going into fire sale mode as they remain winless through six games. One name that is getting attention is Jamison Crowder, who has 383 yards and two touchdowns through four games. Despite atrocious quarterback play, he’s been solid. This deal gets the Jets a draft pick and also a younger player who is still talented and may do well in a new environment.
Crowder, who is still just 27, could team with Mooney and Allen Robinson to form a nice trio for the Chicago Bears.