The Bears are in the thick of the playoff hunt. Sitting at 5-3 after a last minute victory against the Bengals, it appears the Bears would be buyers ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline. Insiders like Jay Glazer have been noting that the Bears will be aggressive in adding to their roster.
Many around the league believe that the Bears will add to their underperforming DL and injury-riddled secondary. This would appear
especially true after giving up 42 points to an aging Joe Flacco.
So, with approximately 24 hours til the deadline, I asked two questions of our staff. What is one move you think the Bears will make? And what is one move you would like them to make?
What move do you think the Bears will make?
Lester Wiltfong Jr.: With injuries mounting on the defensive line, I think they target the Jets’ Jermaine Johnson II. I just hope it’s a day three pick.
Bryan Orenchuk: The move I think they WILL make is for a CB. Alontae Taylor is my guess, though I would prefer Riq Woolen. Taylor has ties with DA, more likely to be traded to a conference foe we have already faced (and not in playoff contention) and should come cheap. Yesterday proved we need secondary help in a bad way.
Josh Sunderbruch: I think they go after a defensive back, hopefully with a Day 3 pick, but I wouldn’t be stunned to see a conditional pick that can escalate to a Day 2 (or an outright Day 2 pick).
Mongo Peanut: Considering reports are stating that Poles will once again be aggressive, I expect him to make two separate moves. The first is to trade Braxton Jones for a mid round pick. Jones has been solid with the Bears, but after being supplanted by Theo Benedet, Poles may try to recoup some draft capital now. The second move I expect the Bears to make is to be too aggressive in adding an EDGE to the mix. I expect Poles to trade for a guy like Bradley Chubb in exchange for a Day 2 pick. He will subsequently restructure some contracts in order to make it work.
What move would you like the Bears to make?
Lester Wiltfong Jr.: As for what I’d like them to do – nothing. Stand pat and let the coaches figure it out. Even with the injury to Dayo Odeyingbo, I don’t want to see them spend this season… unless it’s something small like a 6/7 pick swap for a veteran pass rusher.
Bryan Orenchuk: The move I would like them to make is for Jermaine Johnson II. Assuming it doesn’t cost greater than a 3rd rounder, the best way to help the secondary is by getting after the QB. Getting Booker back was huge, but with Dayo down, we need more capable bodies. Johnson could be the Robin to Montez’s Batman. And he’s young enough to grow with.
Josh Sunderbruch: I want to see them improve the edge rush situation marginally, using nothing more than a Day 3.
Sam Householder: The best move is no move for me. Stand pat. Yes, the pass rush and secondary are bad, but this season was never about playoff aspirations. I think you hold on to your assets and let the games play out. If you’re losing to the class of the league by 2 TDs, but still scoring 27 or 28 points per game, so be it. It’s all about developing who you have this season, not grabbing a rental player in the hopes of grabbing a wild card spot just to go on the road to Tampa, LA, or Detroit.
Mongo Peanut: I want them to trade for Trey Hendrickson using a 4th round pick. Considering the Bengals are asking for a 1st rounder (silly), I would be okay with a 3rd round pick price. I only say that because in the off chance that Poles does not sign Hendrickson in the offseason, he will likely net them a comp pick to soften the blow. He represents the ideal rental for the Bears at this juncture.
