The Chicago Bears promised they aren’t done making moves. Such comments were primarily meant in the context of free agency. They still have several holes left to fill. However, one glaring issue is still hanging over GM Ryan Poles‘ head. That is the right tackle position. It is in flux, to put it nicely. Riley Reiff is gone. Right now, their best option is Larry Borom. While adding Nate Davis was a solid boost to Justin Fields’ interior blocking, the Bears must fortify the edges. It currently looks like their best option might be waiting for the draft.
However, Poles isn’t giving up quite yet. A source told SM that the Bears brass are sniffing around the league for a possible trade solution. Teams unloading veterans for draft picks around this time of year are hardly unheard of. It comes down to whether there is anybody available the Bears might see as an upgrade over what they have.
One name worth considering is Rob Havenstein. The big right tackle was a cornerstone of the Los Angeles Rams’ run of success from 2017 through 2021. However, the organization is going through a retooling phase. Reports indicate they’re open to trading everybody save for Aaron Donald, Cooper Kupp, and Matthew Stafford. They already proved that by sending Jalen Ramsey to Miami.
The Chicago Bears have every reason to take this approach.
They not only have the money to absorb a big contract but also the draft picks necessary to work a deal. That includes two 2nd round picks, a 3rd round pick, and two 4th round picks this year. There are other names worth at least thinking about. Houston just got done giving Laremy Tunsil a pay raise. Tytus Howard is in the last year of his contract. They may not want to pay him too. Braden Smith is about to cost over $19 million per year for the Indianapolis Colts. They could look to duck that responsibility.
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It’s hard to say if anything will come of this. Teams often tend to be gunshy about unloading offensive linemen until after the draft. Then again, nobody thought Carolina would unload their best wide receiver, and they did it anyway. If Poles could pull that off, it’s wise not to bet against him here. Either way, there is zero harm in the Chicago Bears exploring the market. You never know who might be available.
Don’t start giving away all of our draft picks. We’ll find a RT in the draft
Braxton Jones, Nate Davis, Cody Whitehair, Teven Jenkins, and Larry Borom — until Ryan Poles finds somebody better.
But, bring them all in — and let the coaches (Chris Morgan and Luke Steckel) sort out the “best five guys” and hopefully apply the credo, “performance over politics.”
(Are you listening Mr. “rookie” GM?).
I would be ok with trading one 5th-round pick to get a serviceable OT at a reasonable price. I would not trade any higher draft picks. Too many holes to fill.
$75M for 3 years for Tunsil? Jeez.
NeverTooManyEggs, agreed and none more sure that his opinion matters than Martin. That person thinks his comments are gospel