The Chicago Bears didn’t make any blockbuster trades this offseason. They didn’t really have the resources to do so. General manager Ryan Poles opted for a more calculated approach, using the resources available to get the best players possible. All things considered, he did pretty well. The team plugged some holes in free agency and added another influx of talented athletes in the draft. Still, some wonder if the Bears still need that bold move to push them into proper contender territory. Enter Jonathan Taylor.
Nobody disputes that the 26-year-old running back is arguably the best in football. He has posted at least 1400 yards on the ground in three of the past five seasons, including 1,585 and 18 touchdowns last year. However, some wonder if the Indianapolis Colts, who are teetering on the edge of a possible rebuild, may not want to pay him another big contract with so much mileage on his body. Benjamin Solak of ESPN believes this could land the Pro Bowler on the trade block, and the Bears are the perfect landing spot.
Jonathan Taylor will get traded to the Bears
If the Colts come out of the gates slow and consider an organizational change midseason, then Taylor surely would draw trade interest. His start to 2025 proved he still has “best RB in the league” potential left in his legs, especially if his total touches are more carefully managed. A playoff-aspiring team that has viable change-of-pace backs but no dominant starter would love to grab Taylor for a one-year rental. Should he perform well, that team could give him that two-year, pay-as-we-go extension that running backs often get with their third contract.
The Bears make perfect sense…If the Bears’ offense coalesces into a top-five unit — certainly possible given how they finished the 2025 season — the team might be fishing at the deadline for a field-tipping running back to give it an additional edge. Chicago’s rushing attack led the league in success rate last season, thanks in large part to great line play and excellent scheming from coach Ben Johnson. Now imagine that group with a home run hitter like Taylor breaking into the second level.
Why this trade makes the Bears Super Bowl contenders
Many will argue that the team already had the #3 rushing attack last season with D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai. Both have returned for this coming season. There is no need to trade for Taylor when they have other pressing roster issues like edge rusher. Here’s the thing. Swift and Monangai are not Taylor. We’re talking about a true difference-making, superstar running back. If Ben Johnson could accomplish what he did last season with good-not-great players like Swift and Monangai, imagine what Taylor would do in that system.
Johnson’s run scheme is widely regarded as the best in the NFL. It’s diverse, adaptable, and perfectly caters to its players’ strengths. Imagine what Caleb Williams would do to defenses off play action fakes and bootlegs. It would be unfair. Let’s also remember a reality people glossed over from last season. The Bears’ running backs did not perform well in the playoffs. Monangai averaged just 3.0 yards per carry. Outside of two runs of 12 and 13 yards against the Rams, Swift was held in check in the divisional round.
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Taylor would give them an extra gear they didn’t have before.
What would the cost be?
This is difficult to determine because running backs aren’t considered a premium position these days. Typically, they go for a couple of mid-round picks (4th/5th/6th) in any deal. However, Jonathan Taylor is undoubtedly one of the two or three best in the game. If he’s still playing at that usual level by the deadline, it will cost more. Remember, the San Francisco 49ers gave up 2nd, 3rd, and 4th round picks, along with a future 5th round pick, for Christian McCaffrey. One can safely assume that will be the type of package the Colts will want.
However, there is a vital difference here. McCaffrey still had three-and-a-half years left on his contract at the time. San Francisco inherited a considerable amount of control. Taylor has one year left on his deal. He’ll need a considerable extension once the Bears acquire him. That will lower the price tag in any trade. I ran this idea through Sports Mockery’s state-of-the-art trade simulator on EDGE. Here is the projected cost.
- 2nd round pick in 2027
- 5th round pick in 2028
- CB Tyrique Stevenson
Indianapolis gets strong draft capital over the next two years and a young cornerback with a cheap year left on his contract. The Colts’ pass defense was 31st last season. Sauce Gardner, their prized trade acquisition at last year’s deadline, played just four games before being sidelined for the season with an injury. Stevenson gives them some much-needed depth, youth, and competition at that spot.
