The Chicago Bears are 3-4 sitting at a crossroads with many decisions to make. The Bears could sell at the deadline in hopes of getting value out of their aging players in what seems like a lost year. Or, they could go all in and buy at the deadline, adding a few players to bolster the team.
Although it should be important to add that Ryan Pace could be hesitant to sell at the deadline because he’s on the hot seat right now, if the Bears were to have a poor end to the season, it is likely that we will not see Ryan Pace get another chance to find a new head coach. This does put the Bears in a sticky situation because Ryan Pace could be hurting the team’s future at the deadline for the sake of his job. It should also be important to note that if the Bears sell at the deadline, it could mean that Pace knows his job is safe within the organization.
Without any further ado, we will discuss three mock trades today.
Buy: Brandin Cooks
Chicago Bears receive: Brandin Cooks
Texans receive 2023 third-round pick 2022 fifth-round pick.
Brandin Cooks could be on the move at the deadline because the Texans are obviously in the midst of a rebuild as Cooks does not fit their timeline. Not only would they get cap relief from trading him, but they could also get handsomely compensated.
Cooks will have his 6th 1000 yard season in the last seven years. Cooks has been one of the most consistent and underrated receivers in the league for a while now and could provide stability to a very inconsistent Bears offense.
Sell: Allen Robinson
Chicago Bears receive *Conditional 2022 second-round pick 2023 fourth-round pick.
Colts receive Allen Robinson 2023 sixth-round pick.
Allen Robinson has been the heart of the Chicago Bears offense for the past three years, but this year has been different. He looks disheartened out there and makes me wonder if him being on the field with the pace he’s playing at even helps the Bears. Robinson is set to be a free agent at the end of the year and will undoubtedly sign that big deal he has been seeking for years but has never been given to him from Pace, for whatever reason. The Bears could be wise to get value out of him before he hits the open market; I would expect the market for him to be hot off the rip. The Bears could see as much as a second-round pick in return for the star wide receiver.
The Bears would get compensation for a potentially expiring asset, and Allen Robinson would potentially get his well-deserved, super overdue payday. Good deal for both sides.
*The Colts have a trade clause on their 2022 second-round pick that is on pace to turn into a 2022 first-round pick if Carson Wentz plays over 75% of their snaps in their deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. But if the Colts were only to give up a second in the deal with the Eagles, the Bears would have to get some other compensation, maybe a 2023 second and a 2022 third or fourth-round pick.
Sell: Robert Quinn
Chicago Bears receive 2022 third-round pick.
Cowboys receive Robert Quinn.
Robert Quinn looked like yet another terrible Ryan Pace contract before his fantastic start to the 2021 season. Although Quinn has been one of few bright spots for the Bears, it could be wise for them to sell while his value is the highest to not only get assets for an aging player who might not fit the Bears’ timeline. The Bears would also give more snaps to Trevis Gipson, who has been very impressive in his second year in the NFL.
Robert Quinn gets to compete with a contender, and the Bears allow Gipson to develop with more reps on the first team.