NEWSLETTER
The NFL’s trade deadline is in eight days, so prepare yourself for a wave of rumors to come crashing onto your timeline in the coming days.
This time of year always features a handful of head-turning rumors that make little sense. But some are so ludicrous, you can’t help but address them when they cross your timeline.
For example, one that presents a scenario in which the Chicago Bears trade for New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore:
I swear if Ryan Pace deals another 1 to add to this defense….
1) It would be so on brand
2) Why would he care about future assets if he’s fighting for his job and a double digit win season?
3) I’d hate it pic.twitter.com/QtufLqq1tK— Joe Ostrowski (@JoeO670) October 24, 2020
On the surface, the Bears trading for Gilmore is ridiculous. Chicago has a loaded defense featuring a pair of lock down corners. I suppose there’s no such thing as having too much cornerback depth. So in that vein, I shouldn’t dismiss the idea of adding a cornerback. However, the Bears have pressing needs elsewhere – offensive line, receiver, running back – and that makes trading for Gilmore borderline unthinkable (of course, nothing is off the board with GM Ryan Pace).
Remember, the Bears pushed hard to sign Gilmore as a free agent in 2017. And even though the team believed it was close to landing the stud free agent corner, Gilmore ultimately turned down the Bears’ offer.
Meanwhile, the Bears and Patriots have worked together on deals in the past. Pace sent Martellus Bennett to New England in a trade, picked up Cre’Von LeBlanc off the waiver wire after seeing him during joint practices, and swung a draft day deal in 2018 to take Anthony Miller. With that being said, I can imagine this being a case of two sides who work well together with one side wanting to fortify a secondary by landing the one who got away. And frankly, part of me can’t blame him.
Gilmore is a stud. The 30-year-old cornerback is a three-time Pro Bowler, two-time first-team All-Pro, and was the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year. Gilmore is a true lock-down corner who can play anywhere on the field. Imagining him lining up in the slot while Kyle Fuller and Jaylon Johnson hold it down outside is the stuff dreams are made of on the defensive side of the ball. But even still … nah. I can’t see it happening. But maybe? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Nah, nah.
Buckle up, friends. The Bears have two games to play before the trade deadline, so business is about to pick up!
