Myles Garrett shook the NFL world this past week when he declared his intentions to ask the Cleveland Browns for a trade. The All-Pro pass rusher, 29 years old, lifted the organization out of the gutter to become a playoff contender over the past few years. However, it appears the Browns have stagnated recently. With his prime years dwindling, Garrett hopes to join a contender while he still has time. No doubt plenty of teams have interest. Many wonder if the Chicago Bears are one. That depends on GM Ryan Poles.
A source informed SM that some inside Halas Hall, led by new head coach Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, are urging Poles to go after Garrett. They feel he would be a game-changer for the organization. The Bears GM has resisted thus far. It isn’t necessarily because he’s reluctant to give up the resources. Poles has shown he isn’t afraid to be aggressive in years past. The primary reasoning is he’s hoping to save his big swing for other potential targets like Micah Parsons and Maxx Crosby.
Ryan Poles wants to conserve his big swing.
There is no question Garrett is a once-in-a-generation specimen. He would instantly make the Bears’ defense elite by pairing with Montez Sweat and having that secondary behind him. Even so, this team can’t be considered one move away from contention. They still have holes elsewhere that they need to plug, especially on the offensive line. Giving up two 1st round picks for a defensive end about to turn 30 feels like too big of a gamble. Parsons is the most interesting situation to watch. The All-Pro pass rusher hasn’t been silent about his own frustrations with the Dallas Cowboys. He watched two teammates get paid maximum money, leaving questions about his own future. Head coach Mike McCarthy also walked despite leading the team to multiple winning seasons. If he senses things trending in the wrong direction, as with Garrett in Cleveland, he may push to leave.
Ryan Poles wants to be ready for that opportunity. Parsons is four years younger than Garrett and would be a terrific fit in Allen’s defensive system. One can’t blame the Bears GM for picking his battles. He doesn’t want to mortgage the future on one big move like Ryan Pace did with Khalil Mack seven years ago.
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Go after Parsons if he becomes available.
I’d consider a trade for David Njoku.
A team can add 3 good players for the price of 1 Garrett. I’ll take the 3.
Garrett is a great player but any trade to acquire him would be detrimental to the team’s rebuilding of the current roster.
Caleb Williams for Myles Garrett, straight up: Yes or no?