The Chicago Bears: Buyers or Sellers at the Trade Deadline?
By Ryan Olson
Why would the Chicago Bears sell at the deadline?
The Bears should look to be sellers at the deadline because the 2022 season is likely going to be for nothing as this year was always looked at as a rebuilding year for this franchise. I really think maximizing value on some of these players that are either entering free agency at the end of the year or subject to being cut due to salary cap reasons. Such as Roquan Smith and David Montgomery who are set to be free agents, and even Riley Reiff who would likely not net them anything more than a future 6th-round pick if the Bears were lucky.
Maximizing return on players who aren’t long-term solutions to this rebuild should be crucial because if you aren’t going to sign them long-term, you might as well get a return instead of letting them walk for free in free agency.
Especially Roquan Smith who could bring in a sizeable haul as he is one of the best linebackers in the NFL, looking for a new contract extension. I would assume the Bears could possibly squeeze out a second for Smith, but the return for Smith would likely be a third-round pick, still a great return.