The Chicago Bears and Ryan Pace have been peppered by trade rumors for months. Most of them have revolved around the same issue: glaring pass rush needs. Whether it’s Shane Ray or Khalil Mack, all sorts of opinions and rumors have cropped up. However, not enough time has been spent on another possibility.
Could this team consider unloading a player they already have in return for draft capital? It’s not something foreign to this team. Pace has done it in the past though it was typically to get rid of older players he didn’t sign or draft. Still, this idea seems far more plausible than a blockbuster trade for somebody like Mack.
Don’t forget the Bears already lost one pick in 2019 thanks to their trade up for Anthony Miller back in spring. So getting any kind of pick back would be beneficial. It’s a matter of figuring out what teams around the league are searching for. Then Pace has to determine if his team has any expendable assets to meet that demand.
He may be in luck.
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Bears and Ryan Pace could get draft help by unloading offensive lineman
Typically as the preseason comes to a close is when teams start thinking about what their roster cuts are going to be. It’s also around this time that some consider making a trade for help. This often involves player-for-player exchanges or minor draft picks. The idea being they want to secure a player they like rather than risk him hitting the market.
According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, it seems a lot of teams are on the hunt for one position in particular.
“We mentioned the trade market. It’s still a little ways off from really heating up, but a number of teams are sniffing around for offensive line help. The reason why has been on everyone’s TV over the last couple of weeks—depth at those positions is spotty. So if your team has a few spare big guys, the return could actually be pretty good.”
This is interesting because based on preseason performance thus far the Bears actually seem to have a favorable offensive line situation. Particularly on the interior. Cody Whitehair and Kyle Long are already fixed as starters with veteran Eric Kush and second round pick James Daniels competing for the open left guard spot.
Behind them, they have Hroniss Grasu, Earl Watford, and Jordan Morgan. Kush is reportedly well-respected in league circles. It’s possible the Bears could unload him to another team, freeing Daniels to man the starting spot with those three set as the interior depth. Kush is 28-years old so there’s no danger of age getting in the way.
The Bears could secure some extra draft help for 2019. Or they might even find a pass rush talent they like in exchange. Something to think about.
