All the Chicago Bears trade talk of late looking towards the upcoming deadline has involved one name. That is Jordan Howard. After a rough outing against Tampa Bay in which he was hardly involved in the game plan. This led many to think the original trade rumors were true. Head coach Matt Nagy just didn’t see the same value in him as the previous coaching regime did.
Nagy has refuted those claims, insisting that Howard remains a big part of the offense. His role will merely change as the opponents dictate. For now, all people can do is take him at his word. That said it doesn’t mean the Bears won’t be making any moves at the deadline. Just not the one that is the most talked-about.
Bill Barnwell of ESPN examined the current status of the league and sought out potential deals that are of the more modest variety. Deals that make sense for both teams without going over the top towards the blockbuster angle. The Bears were indeed involved with one, and the player may not be somebody fans are anxious not to lose.
Chicago Bears trade idea involves Marcus Cooper to Kansas City
“It might be a surprise to some Bears fans that Cooper remains on the team, given that the 28-year-old hasn’t played much since infamously fumbling away a blocked field goal return on the 1-yard line against the Steelers last season. Cooper was benched shortly thereafter and cut from his four-year, $16 million contract after the season, although he re-signed with the Bears on a one-year, $1.5 million deal in March.
Chicago doesn’t have much use for Cooper barring a rash of injuries at cornerback, and while he has missed the past two games with a hamstring injury, he was in on just three defensive snaps before going down. Cooper started 11 games for Kansas City between 2013-15, and the Chiefs are the thinnest contender in football at cornerback.”
There are many around Chicago who still don’t understand why the Bears even bothered to bring Cooper back. He’d finished 2017 with a resounding thud and hadn’t really earned another opportunity. In the end, they must’ve kept him for depth purposes given his experience in Vic Fangio’s system.
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However, he soon struggled in the preseason and then tweaked his hamstring. This enabled young undrafted free agent Kevin Toliver to elevate into the starting lineup after Prince Amukamara got hurt. He performed well, which has made it rather clear Cooper may not have much of a place on the roster.
If the Chiefs are willing to part with a modest draft choice for him, the Bears should have every reason to accept. Don’t forget they’re without a 1st or 2nd in 2019. So every pick they can get matters.
