Are there any Chicago Bears trade targets worth pursuing with the regular season in sight?Sure fans would love to see a number of players shipped out for draft picks. Problem is the Bears don’t have the sort of roster that is strong enough to afford such a proposition. They’re still at a point where acquiring quality talent at reasonable prices is still required.
Expectations for the Bears at this point is lukewarm. While nobody expects another 3-13 disaster, most predictions are for a 5-11 to 7-9 run. Improvement, sure but nothing to celebrate. Nevertheless GM Ryan Pace is always looking for ways to get better. He’s been known to pull off surprise acquisitions before.
Are there any “feasible” Chicago Bears trade targets?
Thus the question must be asked again. With the preseason advancing, what names around the league might be worth exploring? Of course some people won’t be anxious to unload more draft picks after the Bears got done doing that for Mitch Trubisky. At the same time though if a difference-maker can be found for a fourth rounder (of which they have two) it’s worth the risk.
Here are three names worth monitoring over the next three weeks that maybe, just maybe might be made available.
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Phillip Dorsett (WR, Indianapolis Colts)
The Bears signed Markus Wheaton this offseason for one express purpose. They needed a wide receiver who had legitimate speed on the field. Somebody who could stress defenses over the top. After an appendectomy and now a broken finger, it’s hard to tell whether Wheaton can ever be what they hope. That means if they want their speed fix, they may have to get a bit more aggressive to find it.
Phillip Dorsett is certainly a name worth watching. It was always puzzling that the Indianapolis Colts drafted him two years ago. Not because he was bad but because they didn’t need him. They already had T.Y. Hilton. After battling injuries his first year, Dorsett was relegated to reserve duty last year and just hasn’t been utilized properly. With a new GM in town, it’s possible they may be looking to unload him.
Mychal Kendricks (ILB, Philadelphia Eagles)
With respect to Danny Trevathan and Jerrell Freeman, they are placeholders at this point. Freeman is 31-years old. That’s advanced for an inside linebacker. Trevathan suffered his second season-ending knee injury in three years in 2016. The pair has a chance to still be effective, but it’s becoming apparent the Bears would be wise to look towards the future. Nick Kwiatkoski was a smart step in that direction.
So what would the harm be in supplementing the competition with another addition? Mychal Kendricks was on his way to potential Pro Bowl status with the Philadelphia Eagles when he first arrived. Unfortunately changes to the coaching staff and defensive schemes stunted his growth. Now stuck in a 4-3 system, he’s not been allowed to play his natural position. Philadelphia has tried to move him but thus far without success.
Aaron Lynch (DE, San Francisco 49ers)
The Bears have talent at outside linebacker. What they don’t have is reliable depth. Leonard Floyd looks like he’s ready for a big year. Behind him? It’s a lot of unknowns. Pernell McPhee is dealing with another knee injury. Lamarr Houston still hasn’t returned from a torn ACL last year. Willie Young is battling age at 32. Chicago really doesn’t have a young option besides Floyd on the edge they can build with.
Aaron Lynch could be a big help in that regard, depending on what the 49ers do with him. The former seventh round pick was drafted in 2014, the final year Vic Fangio was their defensive coordinator. He had six sacks as a rookie. After Fangio left though, Lynch never topped that production. Now the 49ers have shifted to a 4-3 defense. Though he’s had a solid preseason thus far, some wonder if he’s a good fit for a defensive end in that system.
If San Francisco isn’t quite willing to cut him, then perhaps they can be enticed to trade him. He’s only 24-years old. It would be a worthwhile long-term investment for the Bears to reunite him with Fangio.
