The Chicago Bears made history in 2018 when they swung the blockbuster trade with the Las Vegas Raiders for star pass rusher Khalil Mack. They say lightning never strikes twice, but history sometimes proves them wrong. Suddenly, here the Bears are again. They look like an ascending team with a young quarterback and a new head coach. Their defense is good, and they feel like they’re one piece away from becoming great. So it’s rather poetic that Micah Parsons, another star edge rusher in his prime, has requested a trade.
Contract talks with the Dallas Cowboys have reportedly hit a brick wall. Owner Jerry Jones is trying to circumvent Parsons’ agent, and Parsons doesn’t appreciate it. Combine this with other digs in the media over the past year, and the All-Pro has reached his breaking point. Speculation is already rampant about where Parsons could go if the Cowboys do trade him. There is no shortage of possibilities. Eric Edholm of NFL.com believes the Bears are one of the few teams worth watching the most.
“GM Ryan Poles has settled into his role, and this offseason might have been his finest hour. Somehow landing Parsons would make it a grand slam. The Bears could scrounge together the draft picks if they wanted, crippling as it might be. Finding the money to pay Parsons — while planning for a possible Caleb Williams extension down the road — will be the tougher part.
Parsons opposite Montez Sweat, with all the Bears’ other defensive line talent, would be a problem for offenses. Along with some quality back-seven players, it might be Chicago’s best defense since at least 2018. Even if it’s more of a pipe dream.”
Micah Parsons is the missing piece for the Bears.
Everybody who has followed the team this offseason can see that they only need another pass rusher to pair with Montez Sweat. With all due respect to Dayo Odeyingbo, he isn’t of that upper tier. Micah Parsons might be the best in the entire league. His impact would be similar, if not greater than Mack’s. Of course, that comes with a price. Not only would the Bears have to give up several high draft choices to land him, but also a record-setting contract worth more than $41 million per year. That is a lot. It should only be done if they were certain Parsons would make them an instant Super Bowl contender. In situations like this, you must be sure your quarterback is the guy. The Bears made that mistake once already with Mitch Trubisky. It feels too early to be sure about Caleb Williams.
