GM Ryan Poles is about to face his first big decision with serious consequences. Two games remain before the NFL trade deadline on November 1st. The Chicago Bears are 2-4, having lost three in a row. New England and Dallas are on deck. Not ideal. Presuming they lose both, that puts them at 2-6, far out of playoff contention. At that point, Poles has to consider the possibility of a firesale. That means selling off any veteran of value to secure draft capital for 2023.
He already made it clear he intends to rebuild this roster from the ground up. He wants to do it through the draft. Right now, the Bears are projected to have six picks next year. That isn’t enough. They need more. Let’s find out who could be on the block and what the team might be able to get for them.
Chicago Bears have four players that may garner trade interest.
DE Robert Quinn to Seahawks for a 5th round pick in 2023
He will never admit it, but he doesn’t have to. Quinn is checked out. He looks nothing like the player he was last year. It has nothing to do with health problems. The simple fact is he’s not exhibiting the same juice under this new regime. Yes, the Bears probably should’ve traded him sooner. Yet they justifiably felt it would’ve left their defensive line toothless. Shipping him to Seattle reunites him with Sean Desai, the same man who got Quinn to 18.5 sacks last year. The Seahawks love collecting pass rushers and have multiple 5th round picks.
RB David Montgomery to the Rams for a 6th round pick in 2023
It is becoming evident that Khalil Herbert fits the new offense quite well. He has starter potential despite his limitations as a pass blocker. Montgomery will be a free agent next off-season, and it doesn’t feel likely the Bears will seek to pay him significant money. So their best chance would be to send him to a team that needs an instant jolt at running back. In Los Angeles, Cam Akers is on the outs, while Darrell Henderson hasn’t done much better. The Rams could make great use of Montgomery’s versatility.
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Eddie Jackson is playing at a VERY high level. This was almost a game changing play. Plays like this is why he’s a top 5 safety this season. (Ranked 6th on PFF) #DaBears #Bears pic.twitter.com/OqhwD0fx8c
— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) October 14, 2022
I thought we’d never see 2018 Eddie Jackson again pic.twitter.com/iJ7Nxd26Bj
— Theo Ash (@TheoAshNFL) October 9, 2022
FS Eddie Jackson to the Chiefs for a 2nd round pick in 2023
If there is one name that would be difficult to let go, it’s Jackson. He’s finally back to his All-Pro form after two frustrating years in 2020 and 2021. However, that is precisely why the Chicago Bears should consider trading him. His stock is peaking at the perfect time. He turns 29 in December and has two more years left on his contract. That should make him a highly attractive target for a contending team. Kansas City is perfect. Their secondary has only one interception this season, and they need somebody that makes a difference in coverage.
LB Roquan Smith to the Patriots for a 3rd round pick in 2023
Poles tried to work out a deal with Smith. The linebacker declined every offer made. Now it’s fair to wonder if that was a blessing in disguise. Smith has had one great game this season. Every other has hovered between OK and disappointing. The Bears have a decision to make. Do they make another go at him next off-season or cut bait and deal him now? If it’s the latter, the Patriots make sense. Bill Belichick loves athletic linebackers. Smith is right up his alley, and New England loves making deals.
Just don’t give away the future for some short term fix.
It’s ‘Pot Luck’, but why not, we only have ‘line cooks’ when you need a Chef!
The problem begins with the McCaskey’s. The team is nothing but a cash cow to them. As long as the fans keep pouring money into their pocket and settling for mediocre, that’s all they’ll get. The team should be sold to someone who wants to build a winner.
Too early to speculate, but the draft value in return seems off. Bump Quinn up to a 4th rounder (let’s assume he gets a couple more sacks). Bump Montgomery up to a 5th rounder. Bump Smith up to a 2nd rounder. I doubt Seahawks, Rams, or Patriots would be trade partners unless they start playing better soon.
All these trades are kind of ridiculous. The key to mid season trades is to find a motivated partner. All the teams listed above except the Rams aren’t going anywhere this year, and won’t overpay for older players. Monty for a 6th is us getting fleeced, not the Rams. I don’t know if I’d take a 4th for him, unless the Bears clearly want to commit to Herbert going forward and plan on non-tendering Monty. Even then, losing Monty in FA would get us a 4th or 5th rounder as compensation, or, more likely, be offset by the FAs we… Read more »