As The Chicago Bears Flounder, Trade Buzz Is Picking Up

It isn't fun being a Chicago Bears fan right now. Fans were already beaten down after a 3-14 season last year. Yet they maintain hope that things will work out. The team was rebuilding. This year would show progress. As usual, we can't have nice things. Not only have the Bears started 0-2, but both games have been double-digit blowouts. The team actually looks worse than last year. Justin Fields may have somehow regressed, and the defense still can't get quarterbacks on the ground. Then, their defensive coordinator resigned under mysterious circumstances to put the cherry on the crap sundae. All of that while Fields directed criticism at the coaching staff.

Now they get to celebrate with a visit to Arrowhead, where they're likely to reach 0-3 at the hands of Patrick Mahomes. Everything points to a team spiraling out of control. Nobody would be surprised if the losing continues in the coming months. That leaves GM Ryan Poles with a tough decision. If he feels the Bears aren't trending in the right direction, it's possible he may start the process of preparing for 2024. Sources informed SM that they're already feeling out the market ahead of the trade deadline next month.

Two names mentioned were Eddie Jackson and Jaylon Johnson.

This process by the Chicago Bears shouldn't be a surprise.

Jackson is 30 years old. He's on the downside of his career but proved last season he can still be an excellent ballhawk in the secondary. He has one year left on his current contract. His salary cap hit will be challenging to navigate, but if the Bears are willing to eat some of that money, then there should be a market for him. As for Johnson, he's in the final year of his rookie deal with Chicago. He's a dependable cover cornerback who is always in demand across the NFL. Getting something for him before he hits free agency would make sense for the Bears.

Will others join them? Possibly. Chase Claypool and Darnell Mooney are both in contract seasons. Demand for wide receivers is always a thing, too. Maybe somebody decides to call about Fields himself. Anything is possible. It comes down to deep Poles wants the cut to go. He's never been shy about wheeling and dealing. He traded both Roquan Smith and Robert Quinn last year. We know the Chicago Bears GM isn't afraid to make tough decisions. Unloading more established names to continue the rebuild is something he'd do.