The Chicago Bears have remained utterly silent leading up to the trade deadline. This isn’t a surprise. GM Ryan Pace is notorious for keeping any plans he may have on radio silence. Then again he’s only made on trade in his tenure this time of year so a lot of people aren’t buying the idea that will change. Either that or he has a huge move in mind nobody wants to know about. So here’s a wild idea. What about Stephon Gilmore?
That is probably not a name people expected to hear. Gilmore is the reigning Defensive Player of the Year after an outstanding 2019 season. One where he had six interceptions and 20 passes defended. He was the definition of a lockdown cornerback. Why would the New England Patriots ever think about trading him?
Easy answer. It’s Bill Belichick.
The future Hall of Fame head coach has made it clear over the past 20 years that no player is above being dealt in the right situation. Usually, that situation is they’re getting older and their value isn’t likely to go any higher. Gilmore is 30-years old coming off the best season of his career. He fits the criteria perfectly. So what does this have to do with the Bears?
According to Joey Murr of 98.5 The Sports Hub in Boston, there are strong rumors that at 2-3 New England is interested in moving Gilmore out. The team that seems to have the most interest is Chicago. He explained on the “Early Odds” program with Joe Ostrowski.
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I swear if Ryan Pace deals another 1 to add to this defense….
1) It would be so on brand
2) Why would he care about future assets if he’s fighting for his job and a double digit win season?
3) I’d hate it pic.twitter.com/QtufLqq1tK— Joe Ostrowski (@JoeOstrowski) October 24, 2020
Why would the Bears trade for Stephon Gilmore?
The basic idea is easy enough to understand. Pair Gilmore with Kyle Fuller and Jaylon Johnson and suddenly you have the best cornerback trio in the NFL. Combined with the Bears’ lethal pass rush, who is going to throw on them? So from an Xs and Os standpoint, there is plenty to like about the possible addition.
It’s everything else that is wrong with it. The Bears don’t need cornerback help. Fuller and Johnson are already one of the better duos in the league. Giving up any pick for Gilmore is a challenge given they only have five next offseason, to begin with. A 1st though? For a 30-year old cornerback? There is just no logic behind such an idea.
Yet it isn’t crazy to see happening.
Remember that Pace started out this year on the hot seat. His team has only made the playoffs once since 2015. It felt like his job was up in the air if the Bears didn’t do something this season. Is it so crazy to think the guy who traded up for Mitch Trubisky might feel the need to trade for Gilmore in order to ensure he saves his job?
Also, don’t forget the Bears GM has liked Stephon Gilmore for a long time. Pace pursued him hard in 2017 free agency and came close to inking a deal. In the end, the cornerback wasn’t happy with their offer and chose to sign with the Patriots instead. He may view this as a chance to finally realize his vision of pairing the veteran together with Fuller.
If we’ve learned anything in the past six seasons, it’s to never assume anything with Pace.