If the Chicago Bears roster didn’t look shaky at outside linebacker before, it sure as hell does now. GM Ryan Pace insisted from the start that the team felt comfortable with where they’re at with their edge rusher situation. Leonard Floyd mixed with veterans like Aaron Lynch and Sam Acho and youngsters like Isaiah Irving and Kylie Fitts would be enough to do the job.
There’s just one problem with that plan. It completely falls into the wood chipper if the guy at the top gets hurt. So it must’ve been an icy feeling having to watch Floyd exist the preseason game in Denver on Saturday with a cast on his left hand. No one knows yet the extent of the injury but smart money says he will miss at least the rest of the preseason.
Just try to imagine what the Bears’ prospects will be if they have to go up to Green Bay on opening night against Aaron Rodgers without him. The word “massacre” certainly creeps into mind. It cannot be underscored enough how dangerous a line this team is walking. Floyd is unreliable health-wise. They need to start thinking about other options.
#Bears TE Adam Shaheen left the locker room last night in a boot and on crutches. OLB Leonard Floyd had a cast on his right hand.
— Adam Jahns (@adamjahns) August 19, 2018
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Bears roster move(s) at outside linebacker seems inevitable
According to Adam Jahns of Chicago Sun-Times, Floyd left the stadium in Denver in a hard cast. This speaks to the likelihood that the injury is significant. With Floyd set to miss time regardless, a corresponding move at outside linebacker feels like a no-brainer. It’s a question of just how aggressive the Bears will be.
Normal Pace would simply seek out a veteran free agent and add him to the roster, hoping the coaches might get something out of him. Given the growing uncertainty with Floyd though, the time may be at hand for a more direct move. Maybe a trade?
This will of course further the cries for the team to go after Khalil Mack, but that would be expensive. Pace doesn’t seem like the type to give up big draft assets for veteran players. He may instead seek out cheaper alternatives. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune noted one name the Bears got a good look at this past week in former Broncos first round pick, Shane Ray.
“The Broncos’ greatest need right now is probably cornerback and it’s hard to conceive of a deal involving that position for the Bears. Denver isn’t going to flip Ray for Marcus Cooper, who did not play, right?
The asking price for Ray (if Denver is interested in dealing him) can’t be too high, though, considering he finished last season on injured reserve and had only one sack. He’s been replaced by Chubb. If the Broncos are looking to move Ray, and I don’t know if that is the case, surely a draft pick would probably do the trick as well.”
The Broncos are stacked with pass rush talent at the moment.
They already have Von Miller and Bradley Chubb in place and Shaq Barrett as a reserve. Now some young bucks including undrafted free agent Jeff Holland are making a push. This could compel Denver to deal Ray who is in the last year of his current contract. It would mean the difference between getting a pick in 2019 versus one in 2020.
Odds are it wouldn’t cost the Bears more than a fifth rounder. Ray missed eight games with injury in 2017 and only had one sack. His stock is down at the moment, which is good in a cost sense. He’s still only 25-years old. There’s plenty of time for him to get his career back on track. Chicago has to at least consider the possibility.
