Ranking Every Recent Chicago Bears Trade Rumor By Likelihood

The Chicago Bears won’t be making any significant moves to improve their roster for at least the next few weeks. Head coach Ben Johnson and GM Ryan Poles are focused on using training camp to see where the roster is at. They feel they have a young, athletic group with depth in several areas. They want to give these young guys an opportunity to blossom rather than having knee-jerk reactions to any potential holes. It might not make fans happy, but it’s a reasonable approach.

That said, the window to make a move will remain open through the end of October. The Bears have been connected to multiple trade possibilities. Some are ridiculous, but others have at least a kernel of truth to them. The following ranking will help determine which of them has the highest probability of coming true.

These Chicago Bears trades have gotten the most smoke.

5. DT Vita Vea

Chicago had the 27th ranked run defense in the NFL last season, allowing 134.5 yards per game. That was a big reason why the unit struggled to get off the field so often. Sure, their pass rush was problematic, but it’s difficult to rush the quarterback when you’re leaving him in so many short down-and-distance situations. Often, the best way to counter this issue is by shoring up the defensive line, preferably with a massive slab of beef that opposing offensive lines will struggle to move. That is where Vea comes in.

The 350-lbs defensive tackle anchored Tampa Bay’s 5th-ranked run defense last season. He’s a two-time Pro Bowler for a reason. However, he’s also in his 30s and entering the last year of his contract. The Bucs likely don’t want to pay him again, which makes a trade idea plausible.

Bears possibility: Low. Trading for older players is something the team usually avoids with rare exceptions. Vea has a $22 million cap hit and is also not a great fit for Dennis Allen’s scheme. He has traditionally preferred smaller, quicker defensive tackles. That is not Vea in any sense.

4. EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux

Trade rumors have surrounded Thibodeaux for months. With how loaded the New York Giants are with edge rushers, it’s no secret they are not likely to extend the former 5th overall pick. Trading him is the logical move, but thus far hasn’t happened. Part of that could be because of the asking price, and another part is the uncertainty about what sort of money Thibodeaux wants. Couple that with his inconsistent production on the field (8 sacks in the past two years), and you understand the reluctance.

Bears possibility: Low. If Poles makes a move for pass rush help, it will come in one of two forms. It will be a depth option at a reasonable price or a big swing for a proven producer. Thibodeaux doesn’t check either box. Perhaps he changes that with a great two months before the trade deadline, but right now, he doesn’t feel like the solution the Bears need.

3. RB Jonathan Taylor

A case can be made that no running back has been more successful over the past four seasons than Taylor. He’s been the engine of the Indianapolis Colts offense since he arrived, cracked 1400 yards rushing in three of the past five seasons. Last year was another dominant one for him. He’s only 27. That said, some believe that Indianapolis might not be eager to pay him another big contract extension. Taylor has gotten a heavy workload since he joined the NFL. That tends to catch up to players as early as their late 20s.

Bears possibility: Moderate. The Chicago Bears don’t need running back help, per se. They were more than strong enough last season with D’Andre Swift and Kyle Monangai. Yet neither of them is the specimen that Taylor is. Putting him in Ben Johnson’s offensive system would be cheating. If the Colts have a bad start this season, they could look to unload their star back before the wheels fall off.

2. EDGE Maxx Crosby

For a brief period, it sounded like the Chicago Bears were ready to make a serious run at the Pro Bowl edge rusher. Ultimately, the Baltimore Ravens were willing to pay the extra 1st round pick to make a deal happen. However, serious losses in free agency gave them cold feet, and they used a failed physical to back out of the deal. Now Crosby is back in Las Vegas, vowing he’s never leaving. He may feel that way now, but if the Raiders get off to another rough start, he could change his tune by the trade deadline. Maybe the price will have come down enough to where the Bears are ready to take another swing.

Bears possibility: Moderate. We already know the team is interested. Multiple reports proved it. The key issue is price. It went too high for Poles. If it comes down to something more manageable, like a couple of 2nd round picks, that might be enough to make something happen. Then again, Crosby seems dead set on finishing his career in Las Vegas, one way or another.

1. EDGE Josh Sweat

The former Super Bowl champion kept his end of the bargain last season, giving the Arizona Cardinals 12.5 sacks. It didn’t matter much as the team was terrible. Now their head coach, Jonathan Gannon, is gone. He was part of the reason Sweat signed there in the first place. It’s becoming pretty obvious that the team plans to tank for a high pick next year, hoping to reset at quarterback. Sweat, who’s been on winning teams most of his career, doesn’t seem enthusiastic about that. There are rumblings that he could force his way out, hoping to join a competitive team.

Bears possibility: High. In terms of boxes checked, Sweat fits Chicago best. He’s on a contract with three years left, meaning the acquiring team would control him at a reasonable price point through the end of his prime. Sweat is 28 years old and should remain effective for at least another two or three seasons. The Bears badly need somebody dependable who won’t cost too much to get. Sweat would be cheaper than Crosby. We’re likely talking Montez Sweat territory of a 2nd rounder. We already know Poles is willing to swing such deals.