The Chicago Bears are faced with a dilemma. Kyle Long has retired, leaving their right guard spot in a state of limbo. Rashaad Coward did the best he could but failed to impress. Ted Larsen is a free agent. Given how the offensive line performed even with Long in the lineup, they really need to find answers for that spot. Cody Whitehair and James Daniels improved after switching back to center and guard respectively. If they can upgrade that slot, they could be in good shape.
So it's rather convenient timing that Jenna Laine of ESPN revealed that the Carolina Panthers are shopping Trai Turner. Just 26-years old, the longtime starter has reached five Pro Bowls in his career. He currently has two years left on his contract that he signed back in 2017. His cap hit for this season will be $12.8 million. One wonders why the Panthers would do such a thing but given they're starting over with a new head coach, it appears they're looking to acquire future assets.
Turner has been a central part of the Panthers' offensive success for years. He helped Cam Newton become an MVP in 2015 and has paved the way for Christian McCaffrey on the ground. It's hard not to see him as an immediate boost were the Bears to acquire him.
Turner would help the Chicago Bears but price is key
Obviously the contract will be tough for the Bears to juggle given their limited salary cap space. However, they have ways of creating more than the $26 million they currently have if needed. The big question is compensation. Teams don't generally trade guys like Turner in their primes, so it's a bit unprecedented. Going back to 1994, no guard has gone for anything higher than a 3rd round pick.
Philadelphia received 3rd and 5th rounders from Kansas City for John Welbourn in 2004.
New England got a 4th rounder and tight end Tim Wright from Tampa Bay for Logan Mankins (who was 32).
Cleveland swapped Kevin Zeitler with the Giants for pass rusher Olivier Vernon.
So this is a bit hard to gauge for the Bears. They don't have a 3rd round pick. Only two 2nd rounders. Odds are one of them will be needed to make a deal happen. That said they'll likely want something back in return along with Turner. Perhaps a 4th round pick. In this essence, the Panthers get a high pick while unloaded a large contract while the Bears get their blocker and basically traded draft position.
Not perfect but something to at least consider as free agency draws closer.
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