We're going to start hearing and reading a lot more about this year's NFL trade deadline over the coming days and weeks. As the Chicago Bears continue to improve and trend in the right direction, we'll ask a lot of questions about what the team might do before that deadline passes on Oct. 31.
With the arrow pointing up, it's unlikely the Bears would become a seller. However, it's fair to talk about some players other teams may inquire about.
This is going to surprise some fans, though, because we're not going to be talking about players like Keenan Allen or Khalil Herbert, here.
Instead, we're shifting focus to strictly the offensive line.
Who would have thought, just a couple of weeks ago, we'd be begging the Bears not to trade any of these guys?
For off, to be fair, the Bears truly shouldn't trade any of their offensive linemen before the deadline. This piece very well could read "11 players" rather than just three. With that said, there are three, in particular, who have meant a great deal to the depth of this group and Chicago cannot even think about trading.
When general manager Ryan Poles had a chance to speak with Cassie Carlson of Fox 32 prior to the start of the season, he told her that this was as deep a group on the offensive line that the Bears have had since he took over in the role.
Now, sitting down in London with Carlson once more, Poles reiterated that fact.
"It's showed up (the depth). There's been opportunities for different guys to get in and play, and they've done a nice job," Poles said.
The Bears cannot afford to trade Matt Pryor, Bill Murray or Doug Kramer before the deadline
The general manager went on to even highlight a few unsung heroes of the season, thus far:
"Matt Pryor has done a good job when his number was called, and I give him a lot of credit ... he's been dependable for us.
"We saw this past week, Bill Murray, who I'm super proud of because he's a former defensive lineman ... showed some flashes ... he really put in a lot of hard work, kept improving ... got his number called and did a fantastic job for us," he finished.
Poles isn't wrong. For fans who had been excited to watch players like Teven Jenkins and Ryan Bates this year, who knew they'd be even more excited to watch Pryor and Murray step in at various times while the two of them have been hurt?
Chicago has also been using backup center Doug Kramer in a new role once the offense reaches deep inside their opponent's red zone. Kramer has been inserted as an extra blocker in the role of a full back, leading the way for whichever running back the Bears have inserted.
So far, it's been working. Kramer has made a huge difference paving the way for rushing touchdowns for players like Roschon Johnson and D'Andre Swift over the past couple of weeks. This is the type of innovation and necessary change fans (and players) have wanted to see out of offensive coordinator Shane Waldron.
All three of these reserve linemen have been invaluable for the Bears so far. Each week, it seems like we're getting a different combination (or even multiple combinations) up front. And, over the past couple of games, although it's been musical chairs across the line, they've been much-improved.
And, the entire group as a whole has been trending up, surprisingly.
Maybe Poles was right about the depth in this area. Maybe, it just took a little while for it to come together.
Hopefully, it stays this way, and the Bears keep this group intact.