The Chicago Bears have been dropping some trade bombshells lately.
Last week, it was pass rusher Robert Quinn going to the Eagles for a fourth-round pick. Today, it was Roquan Smith shipping off to Baltimore in exchange for a second-round pick, a fifth-rounder, and linebacker A.J. Klein.
And to think, the Bears might not be done wheelin’ and dealin’.
It sure sounds like this is Ryan Poles’ time to shine:
With both Josh Schrock (NBCS Chicago) and Dan Wiederer (Tribune) dropping hints that the Bears could still be cooking up trades, consider me on high alert.
Someone get me an espresso martini, pixie sticks, and Pepsi (my mother told me that was her go-to for all-nighters back when she was a DePaul student), and a White Castle crave case (the people’s choice for all-nighters) because I’ll stay up all night if it means tracking the next splashy Bears trade.
If Poles’ nine months on the job has taught us anything, it’s that next to nothing at Halas Hall is bolted down. Khalil Mack? Gone. But thanks for the memories! Robert Quinn? See ya. And don’t forget you’ll always be a part of Bears lore as their single-season sack master. Roquan Smith? So long, old friend and may the Force be with you.
But who could go next?
Running back David Montgomery could conceivably draw some interest from teams who fell short in the Christian McCaffrey sweepstakes. However, there is an argument to be made that keeping Montgomery helps Justin Fields’ development now more than what a late-round draft pick could fetch for the future. If Larry Borom can pass concussion protocol, I could see the Bears parlaying Riley Reiff’s first start into a Day 3 pick if a team desperate for veteran linemen comes calling. There were Teven Jenkins trade rumors aplenty during the summer. And while I don’t think it would be a smart move to deal your team’s most talented blocker, maybe there is an offer Poles can’t refuse? At this point, I’m open to anything — mostly because it seems like the Bears are open to everything.
One player I don’t see going anywhere is Justin Fields. The Bears appear to be accumulating all sorts of draft capital and clearing gobs of cap space to build around him next offseason. It might not look pretty for the next few Sundays, but the payoff in the end could be epic. Stay tuned.