NEWSLETTER
Business is picking up ahead of tomorrow’s NFL Trade Deadline.
We’ve already seen trades featuring NFL standouts Roquan Smith, Robert Quinn, Christian McCaffrey, Kadarius Toney, and James Robinson setting the tone well ahead of tomorrow’s NFL Trade Deadline. And I fully expect more to cross our wires over the next two days.
One team that seems inspired to make a move are the Los Angeles Rams. The defending Super Bowl champions trying to add to a stacked roster in search of a repeat is old hat. But these Rams have extra motivation to get it done. Not because they are in a prime, rich-getting-richer position. But instead because they are slumping. The aforementioned Christian McCaffrey just stunted on them in their own building to make the Rams’ record 3-4 and push them to the outside looking in at a playoff spot.
No wonder Dov Kleiman hears the Rams are busy making calls on the trade market:
I can’t read this without thinking that the Bears could be on the other end of those calls. Heck, they should be on the other end of those calls. It would make so much sense if they were talking to the Rams about any number of players. And since it sounds like the Bears aren’t done dealing just yet, it wouldn’t surprise me if they *WERE* chatting up the Rams. Not in the slightest.
Could they be in the market for a running back like David Montgomery? The Rams fell short in the Christian McCaffrey sweepstakes. And then watched him have a field day against them in his second game with the Niners. Montgomery isn’t McCaffrey — even on his best day. But that Rams offense could use a hard-nosed runner who gets the tough yards, has tackle-breaking ability, and add another dynamic to an offense that is the worst in the NFL (if you read Bullets this morning, then you know what’s up).
Roquan would have made sense as someone who could’ve been piquing the Rams interest. Because even though Smith, as an off-ball linebacker, isn’t the 1-for-1 pass rusher match Dov hints at L.A. wanting, there are other ways to rush the passer. And when Smith gets sent to quarterbacks on a blitz, he gets there in a hurry and finishes with a flourish. But that is off the boards with the Bears-Ravens swap. Perhaps Ryan Poles could interest the Rams in defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad? Veteran pass-rush help for a discount could help L.A. where it needs assistance.
The Bears need offensive line help for themselves. And I could say the same about receivers. So there isn’t the greatest fit for those positions. But could they dangle Riley Reiff as a veteran option if Larry Borom clears concussion protocol? Dante Pettis if they need an able-bodied player with experience playing receiver? I’m at a point where I feel as if every player who isn’t Justin Fields, Darnell Mooney, or anyone who was part of this most recent draft class could be had in a deal. All options are open. And that’s how it should be at the trade deadline.
To be clear, I’m not trying to push anyone out the door in a trade. But I’m also saying that a Rams-Bears trade is sensible when you look at the fit potential.
