The Chicago Bears are 1-4. While their victory on Thursday night last week was thrilling and cathartic, it doesn’t change the fact they’re still viewed as one of the worst teams in the league. Unless they manage to win each of their next three games to reach 4-4, it’s unlikely they will be buyers at the trade deadline. If they lose two or more of them, it’s almost sure to make them sellers instead. GM Ryan Poles showed last year he’s not above unloading veterans like Roquan Smith and Robert Quinn for future draft capital.
They already sent Chase Claypool to Miami last week. That was made for different reasons, but it strongly indicated Poles is already working the phones. He will likely wait until after at least the next two games before deciding. Chicago will play Minnesota and Las Vegas, two other struggling teams. If they can’t beat both, it will be verification the Bears aren’t ready to turn the corner yet. From there, the question becomes who they might trade. Kevin Patra of NFL.com already has a pretty good idea.
It will likely be wide receiver Darnell Mooney and cornerback Jaylon Johnson.
“Despite his talent, Mooney hasn’t found much production in the Bears’ offense the past two seasons. The addition of DJ Moore this offseason has pushed Mooney further into the background.
The chemistry with Justin Fields seems simply nonexistent at this stage. In five games, the wideout has eight catches for 104 yards and a touchdown. He has three games with a goose egg in the catch column, including Week 5, when the Bears put up 40 points…
…Johnson is another Bears player in the final year of his contract, with the sides not finding common ground on an extension this offseason. When healthy, Johnson is a good cover corner who has allowed a 46.2% completion rate in three games played in 2023. The CB missed the past two games with a hamstring injury, but if he returns to form, he could be a trade chip for Chicago, given the need for corners across the NFL. The emergence of fifth-round rookie Terell Smith in Johnson’s stead could make it easier for the Bears to trade Johnson at the deadline.”
The Chicago Bears have unloaded most traces of Ryan Pace.
Cole Kmet has been the only player Poles has given a contract extension. He earned it with a strong 2022 and continues to play well this season. The same can’t be said for Johnson and Mooney. Johnson still only has one interception in his career. He’s also missed eight games with injuries dating back to last season. Lacking productivity and durability is grounds enough for the Bears not to extend him. Still, he’s a reliable cover corner when healthy. There will be a team out there willing to trade for that.
Mooney is the bigger surprise. He and Fields just haven’t been able to get on the same page. This isn’t a new thing, either. It goes back years. Mooney has eclipsed 100 yards receiving four times in his career. Fields was the quarterback for only one of those games. Andy Dalton was the other three. In fact, of the ten best games the receiver has put up in Chicago, Fields was the quarterback in four of them. Despite their strong relationship, it’s apparent they aren’t clicking.
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It might be best for the Chicago Bears to send him elsewhere, giving youngsters like Tyler Scott and Velus Jones more opportunities.
Get something for them if you can. Bears need it. If they are in a spot to get Harrison next year it will be and instant “Mooney who?” moment.
I’m still waiting for “King Poles” to do something with his offensive picks and offensive trades besides the obvious one – which any fan could have executed…D.J. Moore.
I hate the idea of seeing Mooney go. U need more than 1 good WR and Mooney is a hard working, good teammate.
More “My guy or the highway” from Poles /Eberflus.
Depending on how the next couple of weeks go, I can see Johnson and Mooney both on the move. Might not get too much for them. Johnson I can see go to Buffalo or Dallas. Mooney would make sense in KC.