Insider trade proposal lands an All Pro defender for the bears
The Chicago Bears are running low on free agent options to fill the vital three-technique tackle position on their defense. However, general manager Ryan Poles may still find a veteran solution through the trade market in the upcoming weeks.
Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner has emerged as one of the most frequently discussed trade targets for the Bears during the 2023 season. The two-time All-Pro possesses the experience and skills to seamlessly fit into the three-tech role.
Additionally, he played his first two seasons in Indianapolis under Eberflus as his defensive coordinator, making him the ideal candidate for the role Eberflus has dubbed the "engine" of his defense.
Consequently, Bleacher Report's Jack Rill believes Buckner could become a target for the Bears either before or during the 2023 NFL draft. He listed Buckner as one of his top "hypothetical" trade options for Chicago in the coming weeks and predicted that the Bears could obtain him from the Colts for a mid-level pick, specifically the fourth-round selection (No. 133 overall) they received from the Robert Quinn trade.
The Bears' defensive line in 2022 was so poor that practically any veteran addition would qualify as an improvement. Chicago's defense ended the season with a league-low 20 sacks and conceded the second-most rushing yards (157.3 yards per game). Both factors significantly contributed to the Bears' dismal 3-14 finish in Eberflus' inaugural season.
Acquiring Buckner, however, would provide the Bears with a powerhouse that could elevate their entire defense for the 2023 season.
This is especially true considering the expected addition of high-level defensive talent in the upcoming NFL draft. As a former first-round pick and two-time All-Pro, Buckner registered the fifth-most pressures (56) among all interior defensive linemen in 2022 and was a high-volume tackler (fourth-most with 74) for the Colts defense. Moreover, he still has a few prime years left, having just celebrated his 29th birthday on March 15.
The real question is whether Indianapolis is even entertaining trade offers for Buckner. The Bears may have been able to push Buckner's name into trade discussions when they still held the No. 1 overall pick and were negotiating with potential partners for a deal. Perhaps Poles even spoke to Colts general manager Chris Ballard about him. However, the Colts now have less motivation to relinquish such a crucial part of their defense if it doesn't put them in a position to secure a new franchise quarterback.
as seen at: Bears Trade Proposal Swaps 4th-Rounder for All-Pro Defender
| POLL | ||
5 AVRIL | 98 ANSWERS Insider trade proposal lands an All Pro defender for the bears Should the Bears trade for Buckner? | ||
| Yes | 62 | 63.3 % |
| No | 36 | 36.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
