4 Thoughts on the Chicago Bears entering Week 7 against Las Vegas

Thought No.3: Will Ryan Poles trade or acquire anyone this year?

When the Bears traded linebacker Roquan Smith to Baltimore and acquired wide receiver Chase Claypool from Pittsburgh, the Bears were 3-5. They never won another game last year, and went 0-4 to start the season. While Smith has thrived with Baltimore and got the contract extension he wanted, the Chase Claypool experience was a total disaster for the Bears.

The Bears sit at 1-5, and already several players are rumored to be on the trading block. The top two candidates are Jaylon Johnson and Darnell Mooney, who were both drafted by former General Manager Ryan Pace, and both are free agents after this season. Johnson made raw, honest opinions about hearing his name being mentioned in the trade rumors, and wants to remain with the Bears.

The question is will Ryan Poles feel the need to make a trade? Trading more players just to get picks solves nothing. They will likely face an off-season in which they will likely have to draft a new QB, must fix the offensive line, and can no longer ignore the need for at least two edge rushers. Why create more holes this off-season? He might not be around if Kevin Warren decides he wants to clean house because he was so sick of what he witnessed this season, and Poles must be held accountable.

Also, the Bears cannot afford to trade picks for veteran help either. This team is not close to being competitive. A trade or two will not turn this season around. Plus, he might be gun-shy after getting burned by how the Claypool trade turned out. If he does not make any trades, does that mean he is being evaluated closely by Warren, or if he still ends up trading Johnson and/or Mooney and a host of others, does Warren back Poles 100% despite how this season turned out and has given a green light to return next year?

All eyes will be on Poles as trade deadline fast approaches.