The Chicago Bears have business to attend to this evening. They’re hoping to reach 6-1 and seize sole possession of the best record in the NFC. Something nobody on the planet expected from them when this crazy season began. They’ll have to get by a tough Los Angeles Rams team to do it. After what happened last year? It won’t be easy.

Part of the reservations for a lot of experts is the Bears offense. It ranks 29th in the NFL in total yards. Fourth-worst in the league. Winning games against good opponents are extremely difficult under those circumstances. Even with a great defense like the one this team has. It just has to get better for all this talk about a Super Bowl to even be realistic.

That is where the trade speculation keeps popping up.

There are no less than seven current NFL teams with one win or fewer through Week 7. Aside from being an astounding number, it also offers a clear indication that the trade deadline could be unusually active this year. Several teams may want to get a head start on 2021. That presents an opportunity for the Bears to grab a veteran player who can help them.

Yet thus far nothing has happened. The only rumor to surface was they might have interest in Stephon Gilmore from New England if the Patriots make him available. That doesn’t feel like a move GM Ryan Pace would make. It also does nothing to help the offense. So will Chicago do anything. Peter King of NBC Sports made one critical point.

If any team is going to make a move, the deadline isn’t November 3rd. It’s three days from now on October 29th.

“The trade deadline is Nov. 3. But if a team wants a player to get in a full week of work and be available to play in Week 9, the deadline is really Oct. 29—this Thursday. That would give a hustling team time to get the player his five consecutive daily COVID tests and be with the new team for a full practice week before the game in Week 9.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNtAe2aT1ug&ab_channel=ChicagoBears

Rams game could determine the Chicago Bears plans

One thing to keep in mind here is the sense of urgency might be a little different inside Halas Hall compared to outside. The Bears are 5-1. They’re limited in terms of both future draft picks and cap space. If they continue to win games, why should they surrender even more assets to correct a problem they seem to be handling well enough?

Maybe a bit short-sighted but understandable. Then again the NFL is always a reactionary league. Pace could swiftly change his mind depending on what happens in Los Angeles against the Rams. If the offense flounders again and they lose? That could spur the team into making a deal by Thursday.

There should be some interesting options out there. Kevin Zeitler and James Carpenter are two veteran guards who could be of help to the offensive line. Maybe Jamison Crowder to give Nick Foles another weapon. Anything is possible. Pace tends to surprise people when least expected.

If the Chicago Bears do nothing? Rest assured that the regime will come under some harsh criticism for the rest of the season if the team ends up missing the playoffs. Championship windows don’t open for long in this league. Failing to seize the opportunity while it’s there is a capital offense for men in that position.