The Chicago Bears have a week left before the trade deadline arrives on November 5th. GM Ryan Poles has been active at every deadline since he took over in 2022. He acquired Chase Claypool two years ago and Montez Sweat last year. Poles stated before the Washington game that he would continue making calls to find ways to help his team improve. While that wasn’t a guarantee, the GM habitually follows through on exactly what he says. That is why several Bears fans feel something is imminent.
Certain people around the league think it is possible, too. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune got in touch with the assistant GM of another franchise. He was told one important factor not being talked about would compel the Bears to make a move now. No, it isn’t a feeling they’re ready to compete for the Super Bowl. It is Caleb Williams’ contract. They control the quarterback on a relatively affordable salary for the next 4-5 years. After that, it gets way more expensive.
If the Bears are going to strike, now is the time.
“My point is they’re in Year 1 of (Williams’) rookie contract and they’ve got (Years) 2, 3 for sure, and maybe Year 4 is the extension,” the assistant GM said. “You don’t want to get into the fifth-year option (in 2028). You’ll pick it up as a fail-safe but you don’t want to get into that because that number is going to be high.
“Let’s say they have him play three years and then really use all of their leash, have him play Year 4 on the rookie deal, and the extension comes along before Year 5 starts. It’s got huge cash and you prorate it out so that cap number in Year 5 is still going to be relatively low to what you see for these veteran quarterbacks, and that’s 2028 then.
“When you look at it that way, I don’t think that would disqualify them from making a trade now.”
The Chicago Bears need the right player to be available.
That is the core issue right now. Poles is open to taking a big swing, and there is no denying that. However, that is only half the issue. He won’t just throw away a high draft pick for a random scrub. The Bears will want a player who is talented and young and can help them beyond 2024. It would be another Sweat situation. Guys like that don’t become available every year. There is also the question of what position they target. Offensive line is the biggest need but top players are rarely available this time of year. Another pass rusher would be fun, but the Bears don’t seem to need one after pressuring Jayden Daniels 32 times on Sunday.
This often comes down to the teams who might be sellers. Those are ones approaching an organizational transition and want to prepare a rebuild or ones looking to unload expensive veterans for draft compensation. Looking at the landscape, the Carolina Panthers, Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Cleveland Browns feel like teams to watch. Do any of them have that ascending young player who can be had for a 2nd or 3rd? The Chicago Bears will soon find out.
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