The Chicago Bears have been known as a place where wide receivers go to die.
However, now that Ben Johnson is in the fold, it appears to be a place where there are wide receivers in abundance. They are so deep at wide receiver that they could plan to trade one. The preseason play of Olamide Zaccheaus could have improved his trade value.
Chicago Bears should try to trade Olamide Zaccheaus
Zaccheaus has been in the NFL since 2019 and has always been a reliable contributor. When the Bears added him, it was looked at as a stealth move and one that would complete the wide receiver room. However, the team not only added Colston Loveland, who will get his share of targets, but they also have Luther Burden in the mix.
Burden has been slow to get up to speed this offseason, but he was healthy and showed he knew enough of the playbook to perform in his limited preseason sample. The reality is that Burden is coming sooner rather than later, and the Bears are going to need to find reps for him.
Whether the team likes it or not, those reps will mean that Zaccheaus sees the field less. The good news for Zacchaeus is that he has done everything possible to improve his stock and show that the team will need him.
In his two preseason performances with the first-team offense, he produced four catches for 73 yards with one touchdown. His 3.48 yards per route run is beyond exceptional. He has been everything that the Bears could want.
A quick glance could tell you that the 28-year-old receiver is in for the best year of his career. However, a sharper observation would tell you that this is the role Burden will take once he is settled in. When Burden takes it, he is going to see a lot of volume, which is why Johnson wanted to draft him.
So, the team should try to take advantage. If they can get a decent haul for Zaccheaus, acquire a pick or two, and, in return, open up snaps for Burden, it feels like a win-win. This is a reliable receiver, so they should not give him away for nothing. However, we just saw with the Saints trading for DeVaughn Vele that desperate teams can make moves for players in this tier.
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The preseason helped make the potential right price possible for the Bears to trade Olamide Zaccheaus.