NEWSLETTER
It had already been a while since the NFL moved away from multiple preseason cutdown dates in favor of one big-ole cut at the end of the preseason. But things are different this year, with three tiers of cuts on the docket.
And with the second cut coming tomorrow, I fully expect trade whispers to surface.
In fact, that process began this morning with the Vikings trading for Raiders QB Nick Mullens in their attempt to find a suitable backup for Kirk Cousins. And this afternoon, with the Bills making a deal to send guard Cody Ford to the Cardinals:
This trade is notable for Bears fans, especially with rumors still floating around about a potential Teven Jenkins deal.
Ford, whom the Bills traded up in the 2019 NFL Draft to take, netted a fifth-round pick from the Cardinals, which gives us some perspective as to what the Bears could get should they choose to move Jenkins. It isn’t the most attractive return, but it is a decent floor from which to work if the Bears want to go down that road. Plus, Jenkins has this upcoming season *and* two more left on his rookie deal, whereas Ford will be a free agent after this season ends. In other words, the Bears should be able to get more back for Jenkins than the Bills did for Ford.
But more than that, the Ford trade should put us on high alert for other players who could be on the trade block.
For instance, The MMQB’s Albert Breer believes the New England Patriots are in the market to cut a deal. Breer reports the Pats have engage in trade talks while shopping offensive lineman Isaiah Wynn. A first-round pick in 2018 with versatility to play guard or tackle, Wynn might interest a team needing to fill either position. And while Wynn hasn’t been able to shake that tweeter tag, players with first-round prospect pedigrees have a high chance of enticing someone. Although, Wynn on the cusp of playing this season on the fifth-year option making $10.4 million probably limits what type of move the Patriots could make.
Then again, we can say the same about receivers Nelson Agholor ($9M base salary) and Kendrick Bourne ($3.75M). Breer name-checks both as potential trade candidates.
Elsewhere, The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia writes there is no guarantee Bills tight end OJ Howard wins the backup role behind Dawson Knox. If Howard made it to the market, he could intrigue a team like the Bears that could offer up snaps as a more traditional pass-catcher working in tandem as a complementary option with Cole Kmet.
If it feels like we’ve been monitoring the trade market for Bears help for a while, it’s because we have.
Remember the hypothetical trades that were working their way on the rumor mill in June? Maybe someone like Andy Isabella, Laviska Shenault, or someone else from that group is on the cut line in August. Do you recall when the Giants were “shopping” Darius Slayton because they were really up against the cap? Slayton has a history with first-year Bears WRs Coach Tyke Tolbert. Perhaps Tolbert could slide that recommendation into the suggestions box on his GM’s desk. Will players seen as draft busts (Eagles Jalen Reagor, Jets Denzel Mims) make it through these next two cuts? What about a productive player like Scotty Miller (Bucs)? Tampa has put together a star-studded selection of players for Tom Brady to target. In the process, it has left Miller falling down the pecking order for throws.
Maybe none of those intrigues you (as a reader). Or the Bears (as a team). And that’s fine. But there is a larger point here. And that is that we should be aware of fringe players who might not make this round of cuts. Or the next, for that matter.
Remember when the Bears pounced on adding veteran guard Josh Sitton and young cornerback Cre’von LeBlanc after cuts in 2016? I realize this is a different front office. However, Ryan Poles’ Bears are in the same place now that Ryan Pace’s Bears were back then. At least in terms of where the team is in its rebuilding plan. It isn’t sexy. But the Bears shouldn’t be concerned with sexy. They should be rummaging the waiver wire, unearthing players worthy ofopportunities other teams can’t afford to give. And aggressively, too.
Perhaps the Bears don’t pull the trigger on a trade. It wouldn’t bother me too much. But they should definitely kick the tires and prepare themselves for players making their way into the market. With two more cut dates (tomorrow, then a final cut on Aug. 30) on the horizon, I hope the new-look Bears front office is on its toes.
