The NFL trade deadline for the 2023 season is scheduled for Tuesday, October 31st, at 4 PM EST. The big question for the Chicago Bears is whether they'll be looking to be buyers or offload some of their own players at the deadline. It seems more probable that they might be sellers given their current record but you really never know in this league.
So here are two players the Bears might be considering trading and the reasons behind these potential moves.
Jaylon Johnson, CB
It's no surprise that Jaylon Johnson is looking for a well-deserved payday. He's been quite vocal about it, and his performance on the field this season has certainly supported his case. Let's take a closer look at where Johnson stands among all NFL cornerbacks in 2023.
29.4% completion % allowed (4th)
3.4 passer rating allowed (2nd)
85.5 PFF grade (1st)
0.120 points saved/play (5th)
0.088 points above average/play (5th)
I want to give credit to Jacob Infante, the NFL Draft Analyst at Windy City Gridiron, for finding these stats about Jaylon Johnson. Personally, I believe the Bears should work out a deal with a player of Johnson's caliber. It's essential for the Bears to retain talented players instead of constantly trading them away. While I wouldn't want to overspend on Jaylon, I think offering him a fair contract is a reasonable approach.
He's only 24 years old and seems to be improving, so it makes sense to extend his contract rather than consider trading him. If, for some reason, the Bears can't reach an agreement, I hope they can at least get something valuable in return. I would start negotiations at a second-round draft pick, as a first-round pick might be a stretch, but I wouldn't be comfortable trading him for a low-value late-round pick.
Darnell Mooney, WR
The Chicago Bears drafted Darnell Mooney, a promising wide receiver, in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL draft. However, this season has been his worst start yet. He's caught 14 passes out of 26 targets for 184 yards and one touchdown. He is projected to finish the season with 34 receptions for 447 yards and just 2 touchdowns.
While discussions about a contract extension have been heating up for his teammate, Jaylon Johnson, talks between the wide receiver himself and the Bears have been rather quiet. There's also a rookie wide receiver, Tyler Scott, who has been making plays in a less prominent role in the offense. This has led some, including myself, to speculate that the Bears might be considering trading Darnell Mooney.
You might be wondering what the Bears could get in exchange for Mooney, but it's worth noting that General Manager, Ryan Poles, managed to secure a return for Chase Claypool. In my opinion, the Bears could, at the very least, receive a fifth-round draft pick in return for Mooney.
Looking ahead, it's likely that the Bears will have Marvin Harrison Jr. on their roster next season, who will pair up nicely with star wide receiver DJ Moore. The need for Mooney on the team isn't like it used to be. And given his recent performances, it's challenging to justify offering him a contract extension at this point.
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