Proposal for Bears Trade Secures Team Pro-Bowl Running Back for $10 Million
The offseason was meant to usher in a rejuvenation phase for the Chicago Bears, and to some extent, it did. However, it fell short of being revolutionary.
Ryan Poles, the General Manager, conducted a stunning trade operation that welcomed an authentic leading wide receiver, D.J. Moore, to the Bears. This move, along with securing a handful of draft picks for future seasons, solidified Justin Fields as the starting quarterback. Yet, this has been the standout action in what can otherwise be described as a rather ordinary offseason for the Bears.
The team now has a golden opportunity to revitalize their preseason game plan with another headline-grabbing trade before the 2023 season. Alex Ballentine from Bleacher Report put forward a proposition on May 31, suggesting that the Bears could acquire two-time Pro-Bowl running back Saquon Barkley from the New York Giants.
"As free agency beckoned for Saquon Barkley, the Bears emerged as the front-runners to snag the gifted player.
The match was seemingly perfect. With David Montgomery entering free agency and ample cap space at the Bears' disposal, the prospect of pairing a dynamic player like Barkley with Justin Fields in the backfield was alluring. Essentially, not much has altered in that scenario.
A trade that brings Barkley on board would undeniably equip the Bears with one of the most talented ensembles supporting their quarterback in the entire league. If this can be achieved for less than what the [San Francisco 49ers] spent to secure Christian McCaffrey (four draft picks), it's an option definitely worth considering."
Must read on LetsBearDown
Bears Could Create Buzz with Saquon Barkley Trade
The Bears possess the necessary draft picks to pursue Barkley, who is currently sitting out Giants' Organized Team Activities (OTAs) as he aims to establish a contract in lieu of the franchise tag that New York has issued to him ahead of his sixth professional season.
Barkley, slated to earn just under $10.1 million in 2023, isn't exactly facing financial hardship. Nonetheless, given the NFL's tendency to undervalue the running back position, a multi-year deal is critical for a player like Barkley, especially with a significant injury in his past.
Following the Giants' substantial investment in quarterback Daniel Jones (a four-year, $160 million deal), exchanging Barkley for draft assets could be a wise move for the newly installed management team in New York. This approach could provide a solid platform for Jones in their second season, building on a playoff run in 2022. Meanwhile, the Bears could add some much-needed flavor to an otherwise lackluster offseason since trading their No. 1 overall draft pick to the Carolina Panthers.
Bill Barnwell of ESPN criticized Poles on May 30 for failing to recruit a left tackle or an edge rusher, despite possessing a substantial number of draft picks and the largest salary cap space in the league.
Barnwell expressed his surprise:
"In an offseason where Poles had around $75 million in cap space and four of the top 64 draft picks, I'm a bit taken aback he didn't manage to secure a left tackle or a noteworthy edge rusher."
The most significant free agent signing for Chicago this offseason was Tremaine Edmunds, previously of the Buffalo Bills, with a four-year contract worth $72 million. While Edmunds is indisputably skilled, his performances have not been uniformly exceptional, as Barnwell observed. If the Bears are not going to secure an elite pass rusher or a long-term tackle to shield Fields' blindside this offseason, they must make impactful use of the almost $32.6 million remaining salary cap space. Commencing the offensive lineup with Barkley and Fields, equipped with numerous down
Previously on LetsBearDown
| POLL |
JUNE 2 | 155 ANSWERS Proposal for Bears Trade Secures Team Pro-Bowl Running Back for $10 Million Should the Bears trade for Saquon Barkley? |
| Yes | 70 | 45.2 % |
| No | 85 | 54.8 % |
| LIST OF POLLS |
Latest 10 stories
