The Chicago Bears are run by a GM in Ryan Pace who is never afraid to make the bold move. He proved that two years ago with Mitch Trubisky and again last year with Khalil Mack. Pace believes in being aggressive. That’s how a team becomes good quickly. He has turned the Bears into a contender and now his job is to find a way to get them over the top.
How do they do this is the big question. They certainly have things well in hand on defense. This would lead one to think they’d like to score another playmaker on the offensive side. Since they spend money at wide receiver last year with Allen Robinson and Taylor Gabriel, the only position that stands out is running back.
Jordan Howard’s future is in doubt with constant rumors about Matt Nagy simply not seeing him as the best fit for the system. Trade rumors have been rampant with Howard since last year and they’ve only gotten louder. The problem is the Bears don’t have a viable replacement if he does leave. That is unless the latest rumors are true.
Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the #Jets are frontrunners for Le'Veon Bell. A new team to closely monitor though, the #Bears. Chicago has significant interest in Bell.
— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) March 11, 2019
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Chicago Bears Le’Veon Bell move would be expensive but huge
There is no denying the reservations about Le’Veon Bell. He hasn’t played football since the end of the 2017 season, sitting out 2018 due to a contract dispute with the Pittsburgh Steelers. There have even been reports of him having weight problems being gone for so long. Never mind the fact that rumors persist he’ll be seeking $15 million per year in his next contract.
Given the Bears have just over $18 million in cap space available, this is undoubtedly a gigantic hurdle to clear. That said, Pace has options to make it happen. If he does? The Bears offense would suddenly have one of the most versatile backs in football on their roster. Not only was Bell an All-Pro runner in Pittsburgh, but his skills as a receiver were equally good. That is something Nagy has been searching for.
It remains to be seen whether Bell is willing to negotiate a deal that is close to something the Bears can stomach. Otherwise, this interest may just be a thorough exploration on Pace’s part.
