NEWSLETTER
No matter who is quarterbacking around the NFC North in 2023, my preference is to see that player sacked a bajillion times.
And I can tell I’m not the only one who feels that way because Ed Oliver rumors had Bears fans tweaking online yesterday. NBC Sports Chicago’s Alex Shapiro explains:
Are the Bills trading Ed Oliver to the Bears? That was the Rumor Of The Day on Twitter on Wednesday, after Oliver posted pictures and videos of himself sacking Aaron Rodgers, Kirk Cousins and Jared Goff on his Instagram stories with the caption “enjoyed myself.”
People immediately noticed that Oliver left out Justin Fields and the Bears, and thought the star defensive tackle was sending a message that a deal could be announced soon since he used the beginning of the song “Feds Watching” by 2 Chainz in the background. The lyrics Oliver chose for his Insta story simply repeat, “tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow.”
I mean, OK, twist my arm. If the Bills defensive tackle (who will play 2023 on the fifth-year option of his rookie deal) is trying to leverage social media into a trade out of town, then consider me to have an interest in being the team on the other end of that conversation.
Oliver, 25, is coming off a year in which he put up 34 tackles, 9 tackles-for-loss, and 2.5 sacks. Those aren’t eye-popping numbers, but collecting 14 QB hits catches my attention. Putting up a pass-rushing grade in the top half of your position group (per PFF’s calculations) also has my eye. No, Oliver hasn’t put up huge numbers, but his presence could solidify the middle of the defense. And there is still potential for him to reach another gear. After all, Daron Payne didn’t break out in Washington until playing on his fifth-year option in 2022. So there is a blueprint for Oliver to follow.
ED OLIVER’S FIRST FOUR YEARS
DARON PAYNE’S FIRST FOUR YEARS
To be clear, I’m not trying to say Ed Oliver is the next Daron Payne. But there is a path for an interior defensive lineman to play steadily throughout the first four years of his career, then take off in Year 5. And if I were in the Bears’ position as a team in need of interior pressure, I’d want to be ahead of the curve in the acquisition process.
At a minimum, I’d be willing to kick the tires to see if they want to pursue a trade. Buffalo can’t pay everybody. On the other hand, the Bears have so much cap space that it makes you feel that they can pay anybody. I’m not sure if Buffalo intends to keep Oliver for a second contract. If they don’t, then Chicago should inquire about trade possibilities. Offer up something sweeter than the equivalent of a compensatory draft pick that would head the Bills’ way if they let Oliver leave via free agency. Give them something to think about. But don’t obsess over prioritizing an Oliver trade.
In the end, this situation is worth monitoring. So long as Chicago needs D-line help, we should be aware of any and all possibilities that might become available.
