NEWSLETTER
I’m reminded that it was on this date last year in which the other Khalil Mack trade was agreed upon between the Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Chargers.
Time flies.
Perhaps that should have us on high alert for any potential movement involving the Bears — or any of the league’s other 31 teams. Maybe this is the day the Packers send a disgruntled, aging quarterback to the Jets. Again. Perhaps this is the day a surprising receiver trade goes down. Or a surprise veteran gets moved. Heck, today feels like a good day for the Bears to get a haul from the Texans after using scuttlebutt surrounding the pick to get Houston to risk it all to move up one spot in the upcoming draft. (UPDATE: LOL the Panthers blew away anything the Texans could’ve offered)
Mostly, I want Bears stuff to happen. Preferably the kind of stuff that will have us buzzing and riding a high that can carry us into the start of the new league year.
One year ago, it was tough to imagine thinking this positively about the Bears. Remember what the Mack trade was representing as GM Ryan Poles’ first major transaction. Because if “Mack Trade I” was signaling the euphoric opening of a competitive window, then “Mack Trade II” was its emphatic closing. The sequel isn’t often as exciting as the original. Let this be a reminder of that little trend as Hollywood ponders yet another reboot.
Anyway, more than a window closing, it was Poles’ first step in a hard organizational reset. Heck, it was a reality check more than anything. It trulyThink about where the Bears were last year before the trade and where they are now. Do you think the Bears are closer to winning something of consequence now — or on March 9, 2022?
When I wrote about how there were corresponding moves to follow last year’s version of the Mack trade, I can’t say I envisioned all of what was to come.
Don’t get me wrong. I had a feeling sweeping changes were coming. However, I didn’t expect to be looking into this offseason with Roquan Smith already in another uniform. And David Montgomery on the brink of free agency. Or for the roster to look like *THIS* going into this offseason. I would’ve thought there would still be more to tear down. At least, that would’ve been my prediction if you were asking me at this time last year. Here is where we can credit Poles for ripping off the band-aid. Looking back, it reminds me of how you never get a full sense of what is coming until it happens. That cliché about seeing the forest through the trees hits here. Although, that makes sense. Clichés so often have some truth to them.
One thing is for sure: I’m looking forward to this offseason more than I was at this time last year. And how can I not? This team has cap space, its own first-round pick, and a quarterback whose arrow is firmly pointing up. Hence, it has my full attention going into next week.
