The Chicago Bears trade rumors aren’t going to stop until the draft is over. So people best strap in. Lately, most of them have centered around two possibilities. The biggest and most frightening is the idea they might be trying to deal running back Jordan Howard. Thankfully those rumors have cooled over the past few days. The other is the possibility of them trading up or down in the first round of the draft.
The latter seems like the most likely scenario at this point. GM Ryan Pace has traded up in each of the past two drafts after all. In 2016 he went from #11 to #9 for Leonard Floyd. Last year he went from #3 to #2 for Mitch Trubisky. Still, many feel the Bears can’t afford to be overly aggressive this year. They don’t have a third round pick due to the Trubisky trade, making a move down from #8 overall the most likely course of action.
Pace has never in his career made any significant trade to acquire a player. That’s why the Bears have remained on the sideline as 2018 became a hot zone for several names changing teams. That said, the key to executing successful trades is about timing and opportunity. If the Bears are willing to pay the price, there may be a slim chance they could pull off the coup of this off-season.
A Chicago Bears trade for Khalil Mack would be a game-changer
There is no way the Oakland Raiders would trade Khalil Mack right? It’s not even a possibility. Well, anything is possible, first of all. Second, things aren’t all well in silver and black country. The 27-year old star pass rusher has yet to show up at the team facility. Word is he’s not satisfied with his current contract situation. Nobody knows how long this could stretch out, but it does create a window of opportunity for a team like the Bears.
Subscribe to the BFR podcast and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
From Up to the Minute Live: An update on #Raiders star Khalil Mack, who is not present today, and the #Bengals hosting S Eric Reid. pic.twitter.com/a8cMkMQ2KY
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 9, 2018
As stated earlier it feels like such an impossibility that the Raiders would consider trading their best player. So why even talk about it? For starters there are plenty of Raiders fans already demanding the team does just that, hoping to acquire high draft picks for him while his value is peaked. Then there’s the growing buzz that the team is looking to acquire more picks, perhaps via a trade down from their #10 slot in the first round.
Last but not least? Jon Gruden is in charge now, and he’s shown so far that nobody on that roster can be considered safe.
Raiders Looking To Trade Down From No. 10 Overall? https://t.co/KqnZcK9xGX #Raiders pic.twitter.com/BRDKfGTyHD
— NFLTradeRumors.co (@nfltrade_rumors) April 10, 2018
I wouldn't trade him, but the Raiders have a new Sheriff in town, so who knows https://t.co/BgoWjEunjT
— John Middlekauff (@JohnMiddlekauff) April 9, 2018
So here’s the question. Should the Bears pay the price for Mack?
Yes. Many, many times yes. Edge rusher is far and away the biggest need the Bears have left this off-season. Leonard Floyd is their only proven starter still on the roster and he’s coming off a knee injury. Pernell McPhee is gone, along with Willie Young and Lamarr Houston. Mack hasn’t missed a game in his entire career and has posted double digit sacks in each of his past three seasons. The idea of pairing him with Floyd and Akiem Hicks could give the Bears the most frightening front seven in the league.
Mack just turned 27-years old. He’s in his prime and could easily transition to the Vic Fangio defense. So what would the price be? It would start with the Bears’ #8 overall pick and likely have to include their second rounder in 2018 as well. Is it expensive? Absolutely. Is it worth the price? Without question. Players like Mack are rare and hard to find. He’s a superstar. One who would instantly solve the Bears’ biggest problem.
Suddenly a defense that ranked 10th in 2017 could become one of the best in the NFL. This after so many upgrades were added to their offense. Sure, it would sacrifice the hope of any notable impact in the 2018 draft but it would also make the Bears playoffs contenders. Right now. Today. Is that not the end game?
