NEWSLETTER
The NFL’s trade deadline is TOMORROW.
Admittedly, it is tough to discuss the Chicago Bears as “buyers” ahead of the deadline. But it doesn’t take much to argue for them adding if the price is right and fit makes sense.
With that being said, NFL media writer Kevin Patra makes a sensible connection between the Bears and Denver Broncos. These two teams aren’t doing much in the standings, but they could do a trade dance ahead of the deadline. Patra lays out an Albert Okwuegbunam trade from Denver to Chicago as something that makes sense for both sides.
From the article:
I know the Bears are being labeled as “sellers” after trading away Robert Quinn, but there’s still a huge need to invest in weapons for Justin Fields. Why not make a deadline move to land a talented player like Albert O, who is buried on the depth chart in Denver? In previous seasons, the former fourth-round pick flashed some playmaking skills and the ability to generate separation, traits the Bears need in their pass-catching corps. Given that he’s been a healthy inactive the past two weeks, the 24-year-old shouldn’t cost much to pry away from Denver. Still on his rookie contract, Okwuegbunam is the type of cheap flier Chicago should chase at the deadline to help Fields in his development and complement Cole Kmet, who has impressed offensive coordinator Luke Getsy.
An Albert O trade between the Bears and Broncos sure checks a bunch of boxes. For the Bears, it would allow them to add a young player whose arrow can still be pointing up. At least, it would once he gets from being buried on the bench in Denver. To be clear, tight end isn’t a high-priority need. But adding someone with a unique prospect pedigree and pass-catching traits to team with Kmet could be fun. Bears pass catchers have issues creating separation. So why not roll the dice on a pass-catching tight end who has a knack for getting loose?
Given that he is in the final year of his rookie deal and has yet to mesh with Russell Wilson, it shouldn’t take much to get him in a trade. And given Poles’ ability to create Day 3 picks out of thin air, the juice could be worth the squeeze.
Then again, Albert O isn’t a perfect player. After all, there is a reason he is trade bait in the first place. A fourth-round pick in 2020, Albert O has never played on at least 50% of the team’s offensive snaps. That’s not a good sign despite being in a position to be a primary tight end target. Moreover, seeing his snap share dip from 47% in 2021 to 36% this year despite the changes at QB and offense feels like a yellow flag of sorts. To go from being a preseason fantasy football darling to taking a back seat to Greg Dulcich isn’t great. Nevertheless, the Bears fit is intriguing.
Tacking on another layer to Chicago’s passing offense should be priority for GM Ryan Poles. Bringing in receiver help would be ideal. But if that doesn’t present itself, then Poles should find different types of players for Justin Fields to target. Through that lens, perhaps Okwuegbunam is a fit. In short, this is the type of players the Bears *SHOULD* be looking to add.
