Dream Trade Scenarios, Bring on the Rumors, Time to Buy Picks? And Other Bears Bullets

Happy Anniversary to The Greatest World Series Game Ever Played™, which happened five years ago tonight. Observe responsibly, friends.

•   Happy NFL Trade Deadline Day! You’ll want to read our primer here. As for what the Bears should do today, I feel as if the Von Miller trade provides a blueprint:

Von Miller at $9.72M for the rest of 2021 likely costs a 5th round pick.

Von Miller at $722k for the rest of 2021 garnered a 2nd + 3rd.

This was as much about Denver buying notable draft picks as it was the Rams adding a stretch run asset.

— Spotrac (@spotrac) November 2, 2021

•   Buying draft picks feels like one of those market inefficiencies that is worth taking advantage of, especially if your team is falling out of contention. And if your franchise is like the Bears, one that is bereft of draft capital, it would make a ton of sense. In-season firesales are almost impossible to pull off in the NFL. However, dealing players on expiring deals for draft picks that could help build the next competitive team is a logical and feasible move.

•   With that in mind, I found this tweet interesting because this is the type of trade partner the Bears should target:

The #Steelers are hoping they’re not done today. From what I’ve been told by sources w/ knowledge of the conversations happening, look for the Steelers to buy not sell. And maybe buy a D-Lineman who can help Cam Heyward up front.

— Aditi Kinkhabwala (@AKinkhabwala) November 2, 2021

•   Part of me thinks it would be weird for the Bears and Steelers to do a trade just days before they play each other on Monday Night Football. But you can’t tell me that Akiem Hicks doesn’t make sense here, given the information in the tweet above. To be clear, I’m not trying to push Hicks out the door. Big No. 96 is one of my favorite Bears and has been adamant about wanting to stick around. But if the feeling isn’t mutual, I wouldn’t mind the team doing right by him (by sending him to a contender) and by itself (netting draft capital).

•   There sure seems to be a clamoring from folks who want to see Allen Robinson II traded:

🤔🤔🤔🤔 pic.twitter.com/FRDqTkQk7B

— PFF (@PFF) November 2, 2021

•   And to be fair, I can’t blame them. Who wouldn’t want a receiver so good, that he has 1,000-yard receiving seasons while catching passes from Blake Bortles, Mitchell Trubisky, Chase Daniel, and Nick Foles. Don’t get me wrong. The Bears should’ve locked in Robinson with an extension during the 2020 offseason. But instead, they’re sitting in an unenviable situation paying a Franchise Tag number for a player who is on pace for a 56-catch, 576-yard, 2 TD season. To be fair, it’s not on Robinson’s shoulders why it hasn’t happened. He isn’t responsible for pass blocking. Nor is he designing or calling plays.

•   Something to keep in mind today:

#Bears coach Matt Nagy: "With the trade deadline coming up, we’ll go through different scenarios and situations. For me, in my role, we are completely entrenched in the Steelers."

He said there's always "fluid and open" conversations.

— Sean Hammond (@sean_hammond) November 1, 2021

•   Can I interest you in a Jimmy Graham reunion?

Several teams believe the Packers are doing homework on tight ends as the deadline nears. Evan Engram and Hayden Hurst are high-end options. Jordan Akins and Jacob Hollister would be more affordable options.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) November 2, 2021

•   I actively try to not think about this, mostly because it gives me a headache:

I don’t think we talk enough about how Jimmy Graham and Nick Foles are 2 of the #Bears’ 4 most expensive players on offense.

— Robert Schmitz (@robertkschmitz) November 1, 2021

•   In an alternate universe, segments of Bears fans would be pushing for a deal to reel in a player of OBJ’s talents:

The Cleveland Browns have no plans on trading Odell Beckham Jr. by today’s trade deadline, per sources.
I was told there haven’t been any offers that would make sense for the organization.

— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) November 2, 2021

•   Remember that hypothetical Odell Beckham Jr.-Bears trade proposal that came up back in August? We do.

•   An aside: This is a must-read from Dianna Russini, the ESPN reporter who provides some real-life perspective and an inside look of the challenges that come with balancing Mom Life and one of the most demanding jobs in the industry.

•   Oh, hey, there’s a trade already in the books:

Source: The #Steelers are trading Melvin Ingram to the #Chiefs in exchange for a 6th round pick,

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 2, 2021

•   Hope the Bears didn’t spend too much time game-planning to stop Melvin Ingram.

•   Did you know that the New York Giants are one of three teams holding multiple picks inside the top-11? Now you do.

•   The Bears’ first-round pick that is going to New York via the Justin Fields trade is currently slated to be 11th overall. Not that I’d un-do that trade. But it’s a worthwhile nugget to point out. Then again, I’d bet there are voices in NYC who would like a re-do. Because after a strong start to the year, Daniel Jones is slumping bad. In his last four games, Jones has more INTs (4) than TDs (3) and has a 72.7 passer rating. That is quite a tumble after starting with a 4-1 TD-INT ratio and 98.3 passer rating in his first four games.

•   Tough timing for the Vikings:

#Vikings pass-rusher Danielle Hunter is feared to have suffered a torn pec, sources tell me and @MikeGarafolo. He’s having an MRI this morning to confirm the diagnosis. If confirmed, it would knock the Pro Bowler out for the season.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 1, 2021

•   Always good to see old friends reunite:

BIG BOB ✊🏾 good to see you my guy, as always. @MrBig434 pic.twitter.com/4yQlJC2Fe6

— Charles Leno Jr (@charleslenojr72) November 1, 2021

•   Relax, friends. I don’t think David Montgomery is heading to Nashville any time soon:

Adrian Peterson initially is signing to the Titans’ practice squad with the expectation he will be added to active roster, per source. https://t.co/bUaqEOOV5G

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 1, 2021

•   Dick Butkus was a real one:

Dick Butkus always felt like playing football was his calling!#GoldJacketSpotlight | @ChicagoBears pic.twitter.com/ssUz3qtu7T

— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) November 2, 2021

•   The Early Black Friday deals at Amazon today are all about the toys. #ad

•   Yep! The Bulls are so effing back:

Chicago Bulls Full Game Highlights: Huge Comeback Win Over Boston Celtics, 128-114 https://t.co/ATN7FwQnzB pic.twitter.com/Dvtt6YOY2Q

— Bleacher Nation Bulls (@BN_Bulls) November 2, 2021

•   Meanwhile, the United Center’s other tenants won’t go winless thanks in part to Patrick Kane’s hat-trick:

Enhanced Box Score: Blackhawks 5, Senators 1 — November 1, 2021https://t.co/sUPldK2Vpw

— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) November 2, 2021