Trades Chicago Bears need to make before the deadline
By Peter Jurich
The Chicago Bears should trade away the following veterans this year
Robert Quinn, EDGE
I don’t think anyone is surprised that Robert Quinn has not lived up to his play from last year. After a season where he recorded 18.5 sacks (a Bears’ franchise record and only .5 a sack less than Quinn’s career season record in 2013), Quinn still has value as an edge rusher — one of the premium positions in the NFL.
This season has been less productive for the veteran edge rusher, but it is important to remember that last season he played opposite Khalil Mack — even if he missed a handful of games. Any team who has a dominant defensive lineman who demands double teams should be interested in adding Quinn to set up one-on-one matchups for the veteran who has recorded over 100 sacks in 12 seasons.
Possible fits: LAR, TEN, BAL
Potential Compensation: 2023 4th round pick and 2024 5th round pick
Eddie Jackson, FS
Eddie Jackson has had a strong start to the season, especially after a relatively down 2022 season. However, at age 28, the former Alabama standout may be plateauing in his ability for the backend of the Bears’ defense. Jackson has been plagued by having a revolving door next to him at strong safety — starting with Adrian Amos, then HaHa Clinton-Dix, then Tashaun Gipson, and now the rookie, Jaquan Brisker.
Brisker seems like a promising prospect for the Bears’ defense and coach Eberflus, but the reality of the situation is that it is relatively easy to acquire a good safety. Brisker was a high second-round pick and is proving more valuable than his draft position. Jackson, coming off an injury in college, slipped all the way to the fourth round.
After immediate success in Chicago, Jackson has been a cornerstone of Bears defenses since he came into the league, but other teams closer to the playoffs may be desperate now for help on the backend. As a zone safety, Jackson is elite on the backend and is a lurker in both Cover-1 and Cover-2, and teams going against elite quarterback play may be looking to add Jackson to their secondary.
Possible fits: LAR, LAC, IND
Potential compensation: 2023 5th round pick
Roquan Smith, ILB
Smith has been a dominant force for the Bears’ defense since his arrival as a first-round pick, but after his holdout with the front office during training camp, the writing is somewhat on the wall for his future in Chicago. Simply put, inside linebackers just aren’t a high-end position for success at this current point in the NFL.
With high-powered passing offenses today, the focus on defense is generally around the front four and the cornerback position. Having a linebacker is not bad. In fact, a player like Smith excels in pass coverage, against the run, and even as a pass rusher. However, Smith is just not essential to this Bears’ defense right now as he does not truly line up with the timeline of the rebuild.
There are many teams who should be willing to acquire Smith, and while it would not be bad if he stayed in Chicago for years to come, there just seem like better places on this roster to allocate money and draft picks.
Possible fits: CLE, DEN, ATL
Potential compensation: 2023 2nd round pick and late 2024 pick
There are a few players the Chicago Bears should be making a trade for
D.J. Moore, WR
The Panthers are also certainly in a rebuild of sorts — experimenting with Baker Mayfield at quarterback. However, since the firing of former head coach Matt Rhule, it is expected across the league that the Panthers may be looking at a fire sale near the deadline.
After trading Robbie Anderson to the Cardinals on Monday, as well as fielding calls for star running back Christian McCaffrey, it is interesting to ponder D.J. Moore’s availability. Moore would instantly provide a dependable and versatile target for Fields and this Chicago Bears offense.
As a receiver who can win over the top or inside the numbers, Moore also has the ability to lineup all across the field. He can line up either in the slot, out wide, or even in the backfield similar to 49ers star Deebo Samuel.
A player with these abilities would be huge for Fields’ development as it should (hopefully) be easy to scheme up plays specifically for Moore, such as screens and specific coverage beating hot routes. A true number-one receiver is one of the many things Fields has been missing in his early NFL career, and going out and acquiring a weapon like Moore would assist Fields in his development, and realign some of the resources of this team to more effectively initiate this rebuild.
Potential compensation: 2023 2nd round pick and 2024 4th round pick
Laremy Tunsil, LT
The Houston Texans acquired the Ole Miss lineman from the Miami Dolphins back in 2019 for two first-round picks. Despite this haul, Tunsil’s arrival in Houston was optimistic, as he was anchoring a poor offensive line that was protecting then-franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson.
A lot has changed in Houston since Tunsil was acquired and subsequently extended. At 28 years old, Tunsil is still a top-tier offensive lineman, but the Texans themselves are also on the path of rebuilding. While I generally like Davis Mills, it is hard for me to believe that the Texans have their franchise quarterback in-house as of today. For the Bears (who should believe that Justin Fields is their own franchise quarterback) it would make sense to go out and land his blindside protector for the next handful of years.
Shoring up the left tackle position would be essential, and this is not to say how bad Braxton Jones has played, but rather how good Tunsil is and can be. In fact, it would be interesting to see Jones compete at other positions on this offensive line, as he could take over as the starting right tackle or contribute to the interior of the line which seems to be struggling. Either way, adding Tunsil would go a long way in protecting Fields and showing confidence in the young signal caller’s future.