The Chicago Bears don’t look like a team that is in any position to be aggressive this 2019 offseason. They have a limited amount of salary cap space and several of their own free agents to sort out. So the idea of a bold run on the open market seems out. Worse still they have just five picks in the 2019 draft. None in the 1st or 2nd round.
Granted those picks led to acquiring Khalil Mack and Anthony Miller, so there isn’t much regret on that part. Still, given this is a team that might be close to a Super Bowl? It must feel stifling for an aggressive GM like Ryan Pace to not be able to think about sticking to his true nature. Then again, such obstacles may not have him penned in just yet.
WIth the scouting combine about to start down in Indianapolis, trade buzz has begun to pick up in earnest. One big name has already surfaced, and it appears the Bears are among those who are the most seriously interested.
A Chicago Bears trade for John Ross idea just got a huge boost
With so few draft picks this year, it might make sense for Pace to consider trading them for certain veterans who can help the team now. Players who might still be on the younger side that need a change of scenery would be ideal. It would seem he’s of that mind. According to Tony Pauline of DraftAnalyst.com, the Cincinnati Bengals are open to trading former 1st round pick John Ross.
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For those who don’t recall, Ross launched his pre-draft rise when he broke the NFL scouting combine 40-yard dash record with a 4.22 time. The Bengals needed more speed on offense and so drafted him 9th overall. After two years, it seems things didn’t work out. Ross dealt with health setbacks and struggled to adjust to Cincinnati’s coaching staff. Now the new staff seems keen on moving on.
Pauline wasn’t done though. On the Bleav Network Podcast a day later, he revealed which teams seem the most interested in a possible deal for the 24-year old.
“I know There are several teams who are interested but i’m going to tell you this. from what I’m told, the chicago bears are hot on the heels and have made inquiries about ross.”
Considering Pauline was actually the one who broke this new (which Ian Rapoport verified minutes later), this is something to be taken seriously. It’s no secret that Matt Nagy is a lover of speed on his offense. It is likely he’s searching for his own version of Tyreek Hill which he had in Kansas City for two years. That could prove difficult.
So instead, why not just load up on multiple speed demons?
The Bears already have Taylor Gabriel in the fold. Try to imagine putting Ross into that mix as well. The sheer number of ways the Bears would be able to stress defenses deep would be absurd. Ross never really got a chance to showcase his speed in Cincinnati. That was due to having an average-armed QB in Andy Dalton. He did, however, catch seven touchdowns in 2018, so he’s more than just a one-trick pony.
Much of how this plays out depends on how anxious the Bengals are to move on. Price will be key. If they’re looking for 2nd or 3rd round compensation, odds are the Bears won’t pull the trigger. However, if it slips to the 4th or later, Pace and Nagy may believe it’s worth the risk. Ross has two years left on his rookie contract with a 5th-year option. So there is definite value worth exploring.
