Trading inside the division is always rare for the NFL. That isn’t hard to understand. No sport places greater importance on winning the division. So exchanging players via trade can be somewhat risky. No team wants to say they gave up a quality player to one of their biggest rivals. At the same time, the NFL is a business. If both sides sense value in a deal being made, they will do it. The Chicago Bears have already proven this before under GM Ryan Pace.
Just last year they worked a deal in the draft with the Minnesota Vikings. One that sent them a 4th round pick in 2021 in order to secure an extra 5th round pick in 2020. A pick they used to draft pass rusher Trevis Gipson. After watching him during this latest preseason? That move is looking savvier and savvier for the Bears. Could the time be right for Pace to cook up another such trade?
The opportunity appears to be there.
Chicago has a number of serious questions regarding their roster ahead of the 2021 season. Three positions stand out as concerning. One of them is offensive tackle. Jason Peters and Germain Ifedi will start, but beyond them the depth has looked like a legitimate problem. Especially on the right side where Elijah Wilkinson and Lachavious Simmons were outright liabilities. One team that might be able to help with that according to Albert Breer of the MMQB is the Detroit Lions.
“Count the Lions in those two categories, too. OL Tyrell Crosby and LB Jahlani Tavai have been involved in trade discussions.”
This isn’t a surprise. When organizations change at the top as the Lions have, players from the previous regime are unlikely to last long. Crosby was a 5th round pick out of Oregon in 2018. Since then he has served Detroit as a backup right tackle. Last season though, injuries thrust him into the starting lineup. All things considered? He played well, allowing 20 pressures on 424 pass block snaps. That is the same as former Cincinnati Bengals 1st round pick Jonah Williams and fewer than New York Jets 1st round pick Mekhi Becton.
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Chicago Bears should consider Crosby if the price is cheap
Remember Ifedi is coming off a hip flexor that knocked him out for most of training camp. Teven Jenkins just underwent back surgery. So their options at right tackle are dangerously thin. Crosby has lots of experience there and is familiar with the NFC North. He played well against Khalil Mack in the opener last season. Not to mention Washington Football Team stud Chase Young as well. He isn’t perfect, but as backups go he is underrated.
There is one problem though. The Chicago Bears only have five picks in the upcoming 2022 draft. So giving more away for a temporary solution to their problem isn’t likely to entice Pace. In such a scenario, his best bet would be to involve some sort of pick swap. For example, their 6th round pick to Detroit for Crosby and a 7th round pick.
These types of deals are common.
It remains uncertain what the Bears have planned for the next 48 hours. Head coach Matt Nagy hinted the team will be monitoring the market for possible help. He wasn’t specific of course, but it offered some indication the team could be active. Crosby is somebody worth pursuing if the price isn’t too crazy.