Could the Bears Take Advantage of Some Surprise, Last-Minute Cuts or Trades Around the NFL?

All right, so the big cuts we were hoping would trickle through in this week’s latest roster trim didn’t come to fruition.

But that doesn’t mean we take our eyes off the prize.

Not yet.

And definitely not when there is still one large cut to go, as general managers shape their rosters by cutting them from 80 to 53 on Aug. 30. With that in mind, PFF’s Doug Kyed checks in with sources around the league to get a feel for any other cuts or roster shuffling coming down the pipeline. As it turns out, there is ample buzz suggesting some surprise cuts could be in the offing.

Perhaps some could even interest the Chicago Bears?

Of the eight players Kyed’s sources identify as possible cuts or potential trade bait, four are players at positions the Bears could look to bolster before the regular season kicks off.

  • TE Mike Gesicki, Miami — Nah, the Dolphins aren’t cutting Gesicki. But a source informs PFF that the Dolphins have been engaging in conversations with teams and dangling Gesicki on the trade block. And, frankly, I hope the Bears would be one of those teams on the other end of the line if the Dolphins are kicking the tires on moving the tight end.
  • Gesicki is more of a power slot receiver than a traditional tight end. His blocking leaves much to be desired. But his pass-catching and play-making abilities as a receiver are near the top of his class. And that alone makes him an interesting target if the Bears and Dolphins were to talk shop.

    Don’t get me wrong. I feel as if we, as a collective fan base, like where Cole Kmet’s arrow is pointing. But this team could still stand to add useful players with upside. And if they’re not adding at the receiver position, a pass-catching tight end could be an alternative that suits them better. After all, the two-TE packages appear to be working well with Mac Jones in New England.

    If it’s good enough for Bill Belichick…

  • TE O.J. Howard, Buffalo — The Bills signing Howard to a one-year deal felt like a rich-getting-richer situation. Does Josh Allen really need all those weapons? Then again, this could’ve been a situation where Howard could’ve been the beneficiary of defensive eyes going elsewhere and allowing him to shine as an under-the-radar option.
  • Instead, Howard appears to be behind starter Dawson Knox *and* two other reserves (Quintin Morris, Tommy Sweeney) on the tight end depth chart. If Howard’s stock has fallen that far, the Bills could look to move Howard in a move that would create $2.25M in cap space (not to mention a roster spot).

    Howard hasn’t lived up to first-round billing. But if any team is in a position to roll the dice on a potential post-hype sleeper, it’s the Bears.

  • WR Darius Slayton, NY Giants — “There’s a numbers issue for Slayton in New York,” Kyed writes. “which is why sources believe he could be a prime trade candidate this offseason for a wide receiver-needy team.”
  • Even though the Bears have 11 receivers on their roster, I’d still consider them to be as needy as anyone at the position. And while we’ve spent a bunch of time discussing a desire to add some star-power to the room, there is also a need to add depth. Bringing in depth with experience could be helpful. Perhaps the Bears could take advantage of the Giants numbers game and play it in their favor.

    With Kadarius Toney, Wan’Dale Robinson, and Kenny Golladay atop the depth chart and Collin Johnson and David Sills making good impressions, Slayton looks like the odd-man out. I’d be curious to see if Bears WRs Coach Tyke Tolbert – who coached Slayton in New York – would have (1) any pull with GM Ryan Poles and (2) interest in a reunion with a former pupil.

  • OL Alex Leatherwood, Las Vegas — On the one hand, it’s bad news if the Raiders would already consider cutting Leatherwood. But on the other hand, it is easy to envision a new regime with Patriots ties being so cold and calculated that they’d have no problem parting ways with a player they didn’t draft. Even if that player was a first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
  • But one source tells Kyed it is a possibility. And despite the Bears currently rostering 15 offensive linemen, few have the type of prospect profile Leatherwood possesses. Then again, Leatherwood is a work in progress. The Raiders already moved him off tackle and to a guard spot during his rookie season. And lately, Vegas roster projections don’t forecast him being in the starting lineup. But that rookie contract could be valuable in the eyes of a team that has future openings and a coaching staff wanting to work with a change-of-scenery candidate.

    In the end, I’m not sure I’d bet on any of these players becoming Bears. But we’ve been surprised before. And I can’t imagine the roster we see now looks anything like the one we’ll see in Week 1. Changes are coming around the league. The Bears are just one team figuring to shake it up at some point.

    written by

    Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and 11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.

    more bears news

    Dan Campbell is Happy To See Justin Fields Leave the NFC North

    There was no escaping the mixed emotions from Chicago Bears fans when the Justin Fields trade went down earlier this month. But there were none of that from Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell. Heck, I'd argue there was just...

    Another Pass Rusher Signs Elsewhere: Jadeveon Clowney Lands With the Panthers

    Another day. Another pass rusher signing. And another defensive lineman going to a team that isn't the Chicago Bears. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport was the first with the news of Jadeveon Clowney signing with the Carolina Panthers. Meanwhile, ESPN's...

    Malik Nabers Might’ve Run His Way Out of the Chicago Bears Draft Spot

    Today was LSU's Pro Day and Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles was scheduled to be in attendance, per The Athletic's Adam Jahns. Assuming Poles made his flight, he got a good look at the likes of quarterback Jayden Daniels, as...

    Goodell on Bears Stadium Deal, No to Hard Knocks? More Old Friends Go to Steelers, and Other Bears Bullets

    I keep forgetting that I have a Starbucks gift card from Christmas that has gone unused to this point. Maybe I'll remember it next time I go out for coffee. A big shout out to PFF Brad, who made the...

    Ryan Poles Was Pissed Off By RGIII’s Comments About Caleb Williams Situation

    When I saw them pop up, RGIII's comments suggesting Caleb Williams pull an Eli Manning and refuse to play for the Chicago Bears were met with an eye-roll, audible groan, and immediate dismissal before moving onto more pertinent topics. But...

    Bears Stadium Update: Kevin Warren Reiterates Plans to Build in Downtown Chicago

    It sure is starting to sound like Arlington Heights fumbled the bag when it comes to locking in Arlington Park as the future home of a Chicago Bears stadium. While meeting with the media at the NFL owners meetings in...

    The NFL is Playing a Christmas Day Doubleheader in 2024

    Christmastime is generally full of cheer. And in 2024, it will be full of cheering. In fact, we're talking double the cheer. ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter reports the league will play not one, but *TWO* Christmas Day games. It's...

    2024 NFL Mock Draft: How High Can J.J. McCarthy’s Stock Rise?

    Hard to believe we're less than a month away from the 1st Round of the 2024 NFL Draft! With just weeks remaining until the NFL's most noteworthy offseason event, there are plenty of rumors floating. As we work through all...

    NFL Rules Shakeup, Tomlin on Fields, Trubisky’s Linsanity Run, and Other Bears Bullets

    The Bachelor's season-finale had a couple of jaw-dropping moments. Once the group chat catches up, it is going to be lit. What better way to start Bears Bullets than with breakfast anecdotes? I think I'm going to enjoy D'Andre Swift's...

    Around the NFL: New Kickoff Rules Explained, NFL Trade Deadline Extended, More

    NFL owners ratified a sweeping overhaul of the kickoff play on Tuesday, embracing a format inspired by the XFL following three days of deliberations at the league’s yearly gathering. Essentially, the new format relocates the bulk of both kicking and return teams...

    Latest News

    Today’s March Madness Schedule: Updated Bracket, TV Channels for Every Game

    The Sweet 16 is here as March Madness brings us some great matchups tonight! Check out today's March Madness schedule along with game times, TV channels, and more as the college basketball season's biggest games continue. The Sweet 16 Begins...

    2024 MLB Mock Draft: Opening Day Mock Draft Projections

    Happy Opening Day! As the new baseball season begins, and hope is present among most fanbases, why not take a look at a new 2024 MLB Mock Draft? Various mock drafts meticulously analyze potential picks, emphasizing the abundance of talent...

    WAKE UP, BASEBALL IS BACK

    The day has arrived. Opening Day. The most glorious day on the baseball calendar, save for the day of each Chicago Cubs World Series win, of course. See, I get to say things like that on Opening Day. Maybe the...

    Pac-12 Basketball Predictions, Computer Picks and Best Bets | March 28

    There is one game featuring a Pac-12 teams on the Thursday postseason college basketball schedule, the Clemson Tigers versus the Arizona Wildcats. Make sure you check out below for today's best bets!How to Bet on Pac-12 Games[lasso rel="draftkings-promo-1" id="299003"]Best Pac-12...

    Rays vs. Blue Jays Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Tampa Bay Rays are moneyline favorites (-135) to begin their season with a home win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday at 4:10 PM ET, live on MLB Network.Tampa Bay's Zach Eflin gets the start, and he'll go...

    Astros vs. Yankees Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Houston Astros start their season as home favorites (-156) in a matchup with the New York Yankees on Thursday at 4:10 PM ET, live on YES from Minute Maid Park.Framber Valdez will get the ball for Houston while New...

    Tigers vs. White Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Detroit Tigers begin their season as -178 favorites in a road tilt against the Chicago White Sox on Thursday at 4:10 PM ET, live on BSDET.Detroit's Tarik Skubal gets the start, and he'll go against Chicago's Garrett Crochet.Tigers vs....

    Reds vs. Nationals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Cincinnati Reds open their season as -153 favorites in a home matchup with the Washington Nationals on Thursday at 4:10 PM ET, live on MASN2.Frankie Montas will get the ball for Cincinnati while Washington will counter with Josiah Gray.Reds...

    Dodgers vs. Cardinals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Los Angeles Dodgers (1-1) will look to Will Smith, red hot after a four-hit game, to lead them in a matchup with the St. Louis Cardinals (0-0) on Thursday at 4:10 PM ET on BSMW. The Dodgers are -235...

    Marlins vs. Pirates Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, March 28, 2024

    The Miami Marlins are moneyline favorites (-132) to begin their season with a home win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday at 4:10 PM ET, live on Sportsnet PT.Jesus Luzardo will get the ball for Miami while Pittsburgh will counter...

    more bears news