The Chicago Bears are 4-1. Their best start since 2020. Their upcoming schedule doesn’t look too daunting either with winnable games against the Panthers, Rams, and Saints. This team has a chance to make a legitimate run at the playoffs. This could allow them to think more aggressively than normal in regards to their roster.
Just over two weeks remain until the NFL trade deadline on October 29th. Usually Bears GM Ryan Pace isn’t active that time of year. Most of the time because his team isn’t in a position to be. This time could be different. Chicago has a number of question marks on that roster that a calculated trade could fix.
It all comes down to the right player being available.
Trades the Chicago Bears could pull off at the upcoming deadline
Sam Darnold (QB, New York Jets)
Nick Foles is the main man now for the Bears and that doesn’t figure to change for the rest of 2020. Mitch Trubisky will be a free agent in 2021 though, as will Tyler Bray. The team has to think about finding a younger option they can perhaps groom behind Foles. While it’s obviously a bit of a risk, Sam Darnold is a name who is likely on the market.
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New York is streaking towards the #1 overall pick without nobody else even close. Odds are they will land Trevor Lawrence, making Darnold irrelevant to their future plans. He suffers from a lot of issues still but at 23-years old he is far from a lost cause. Getting a chance to reset in Chicago behind a capable vet like Foles could be a career jolt for him.
Cam Robinson (OT, Jacksonville Jaguars)
It’s clear the Jaguars are in the middle of a rebuild. They haven’t been shy about shipping out assets left and right for future draft picks. A.J. Bouye, Calais Campbell, Jalen Ramsey, and Yannick Ngakoue are some notable examples. At 1-4 their prospects for 2020 appear bleak, so they might get a head start on 2021.
The Bears need help on the left side of their offensive line. Charles Leno Jr. is struggling at tackle and left guard James Daniels went down with a torn pectoral. Cam Robinson has experience at both positions and has flashed lots of potential as a former 2nd round pick. Juan Castillo could probably do a lot with him. Especially in the running game.
Hey, Dion Lewis was good once! You never know!https://t.co/7m0mAneoxI
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) March 23, 2020
Dion Lewis (RB, New York Giants)
One underrated loss that people haven’t let set in yet is Tarik Cohen. His versatility, speed, and quickness were such a key part of what made the Bears offense more explosive. Losing him to that torn ACL was a tough blow. Finding a replacement is next to impossible though they will give it a try with Lamar Miller soon.
If they want to seek an alternative, they should think about calling the Giants about Dion Lewis. They aren’t going anywhere this season. Lewis is one of the best receiving backs in the NFL and would make a great fit in this offense. At 30-years old and costing less than $1.4 million, it’s a move that shouldn’t cost much.
John Ross (WR, Cincinnati Bengals)
Speed is something the Bears are trying to stockpile more and more under Nagy. Drafting Darnell Mooney was a big step in the right direction. However, outside of him they really don’t have anybody who can stretch the field. Cohen going down didn’t help matters on that front. Explosiveness is in short supply.
Need a full 16 games from John Ross please pic.twitter.com/TBWa6m0ska
— Blake Jewell (@BlakeJewellNFL) September 4, 2020
Make no mistake. Ross would be a risk. He’s looked like anything but a 1st round receiver for most of the time he’s been in Cincinnati. Then again it’s fair to wonder if the team just isn’t equipped to help him showcase his talents. They are fading behind in the AFC North and appear to be in transition. Ross is in the final season of his rookie deal. This would be a cheap flier.
Steve McLendon (DT, New York Jets)
Losing Eddie Goldman was tough for the Bears defense. His absence at nose tackle was always going to be felt. Their inability to stop the run through the first part of this season is evidence of that. Thus far they haven’t made a serious attempt trying to find a replacement but with a bevy of good running games on the horizon? Maybe it’s time to reconsider.
As stated earlier, the Jets are likely in firesale mode for a lot of their older players. At 34, Steve McLendon fits that profile. While not a spring chicken anymore, the defensive captain continues to prove he is a steady and reliable presence at nose tackle for an otherwise underwhelming defensive front. He could be a nice jolt in the middle for the Chicago Bears.