The NFL trade deadline is November 5th this year. Recent history says it could be an active time for several teams, whether looking to unload veteran players for draft capital or acquiring an extra piece for a playoff push. The Chicago Bears are sure to be in that conversation after two straight years of aggressive moves like Chase Claypool and Montez Sweat. However, they won’t be the only team looking to do the same. There is a strong possibility the rest of the NFC North could get involved, too.
Former GM Jeff Diamond predicted some potential trades that could unfold in the coming weeks on The 33rd Team. There was a no-brainer like Davante Adams going to the New York Jets. He has Russell Wilson going to the Miami Dolphins and Budda Baker to the Philadelphia Eagles. However, the most consequential one for the Bears had to do with the fate of disgruntled pass rusher Haason Reddick, who finally gets dealt by the New York Jets to the last team they want to see.
Haason Reddick, Edge/DE, From Jets to Lions
Plenty of teams need help rushing the passer, including the Lions, who have Super Bowl aspirations. However, the pass defense could be their undoing, as it was last season. Detroit ranks 27th in pass defense and has only 11 sacks (tied for 19th) through five games. Aidan Hutchinson has 6.5 sacks, and no other Lion has reached two sacks…
…The Lions have plenty of cap room this year (more than $40 million) and in 2025 to take on Reddick’s $14.25 million base salary and extend his contract. They are missing a third-round pick in next year’s draft, but it may only take a fourth or fifth-rounder to get Reddick from the Jets, who probably want to rid themselves of his contract drama.
The Chicago Bears must pray that doesn’t happen.
Detroit is already one of the best teams in the NFC. They went to the conference championship game last season and are 3-1 so far in 2024. Most of that is thanks to their powerhouse offense, but the defense also has some good pieces. Aidan Hutchinson is their pillar, with 6.5 sacks already. Teams are having nightmares trying to block him, and that’s without much help from the rest of the defensive line. Imagine how much worse it would get if a double-digit sack artist like Reddick joined the equation.
All the Chicago Bears can do is hope the veteran pass rusher continues to be self-destructive. Reddick has yet to play this season, trapped in a contract holdout with the Jets. His stubbornness has reached a point where even his agents decided to part ways with him, realizing what he was asking for is impossible. It is hard to imagine the Lions would offer significantly more money than New York. The hope would be Reddick didn’t want to play for the Jets and forced his way out of town. Weirder things have happened.
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Nobody is scared of Reddick
Build through the NFL Draft — but first: hire someone who knows how to assemble a proficient NFL O-line.
That person certainly is not Ryan Poles (nor any of his sycophantic coaches).
I really do not see teams lining up to pay draft pick compensation for the chance to negotiate salary with Reddick. My prediction is that he does not get moved. On the other hand, I do see Poles making a move for either a young O lineman or D lineman who is in the final year of his deal and can be part of the future here. I HOPE it is a center. But I’ll take any line position if it is an upgrade.