Bleacher Report predicts shocking in-season trade for Bears, landing a 4-time Pro Bowler

As the 2024 NFL regular season is nearly upon us, it is never too soon to start thinking about the future. Many of us have predicted the Chicago Bears will flirt with double-digit wins and the playoffs. Not many believe they have a chance to make it to or win the Super Bowl. However, seeing a rookie quarterback take this team to the playoffs would be a fantastic year for any Bears fan who lives in reality. Anything beyond that would just be extra greatness.

No NFL team is perfect. When you have to roster 50+ players on a team that includes 25 main starters and a few key special teams starters, every team will have flaws. It has been impressive to see what Ryan Poles has done over the last two years by stripping the team down and building it back up to this degree. Poles has also made mistakes along the way, but he has proven to at least learn from them. What more can you ask for?

Bleacher Report predicts the Chicago Bears sign Ryan Kelly in 2025

Bleacher Report took a look at the 2025 offseason. Based on who might be available in free agency, they projected that the Chicago Bears would land a four-time Pro Bowler in center, Ryan Kelly. Their reasoning makes sense but I'm still not sure they understand Ryan Poles enough as a general manager.

Their scouting department is claiming center is the weakest position for the Bears now and heading into the 2025 offseason. Although that is hard to argue, I'm not sure a 32-year-old offensive lineman is the answer. They go on to discuss how Ryan Bates and Coleman Shelton were both brought in to compete for the starting center spot. Shelton looked decent in the preseason and somewhat won the job by default as Ryan Bates has been injured for weeks. The fact that Shelton only signed a one-year deal is another reason why the center is going to be an issue for the Bears going into the offseason.

That said, it's definitely possible that Shelton will perform well enough and receive an extension. Shelton isn't a spring chicken either though. He is currently 29 and will be 30 before the start of next season. The free agent market doesn't look great either though. Ryan Kelly is easily the most talented. Connor Williams could give him a run for his money if he proves to be healthy while on his one-year deal with Seattle.

Having Ryan Kelly on the roster would be great, although he's not going to be cheap. He's currently making $12.5 million. That's deserved when you make four Pro Bowls over the last five years. 32 isn't young, but elite-level center, Jason Kelce played until he was 35 for what it's worth. However, is bringing him in a good idea? I wouldn't hate it. No matter what the Bears do at center in the offseason, they need to look to draft a potential future replacement too.