The last time the Chicago Bears swapped head coaches in the middle of a rebuild, they decided to take a bold swing on the trade market by prying Khalil Mack away from the Las Vegas Raiders. It catapulted the team to a division title in 2018 and what felt like a legitimate shot at the Super Bowl. Of course we all know what happened that fateful day on wildcard weekend, but it was still the most fun Bears fans have had in years. That is why many of them are wondering if lightning could strike twice with the sudden availability of Myles Garrett.
Nobody disputes the former Defensive Player of the Year is the best pass rusher in the NFL. It's been that way since Aaron Donald retired. Presuming he stays on his current course for four or five more years, he'll be in the Hall of Fame. Of course, he'd like to do that having won a championship, which he fears won't happen in Cleveland. Hence, the request for a trade. Bill Barnwell of ESPN sees three teams as the likeliest landing sports for the All-Pro star, and Chicago is among them.
With $65 million in cap space, they could afford to add Garrett and still have the ability to address their offensive line in free agency. With an extra second-round pick still coming from the 2023 trade with the Panthers, they have extra capital if they did decide to make an offer for Garrett. If they believe Johnson can help bring along cost-controlled talent on offense, focusing their spending on the defense would make sense.
The Bears aren't a Myles Garrett away from a title.
That is the simple fact. They have a talented roster in certain areas, but it's also flawed. Their offensive line, running back, and tight end rooms need serious work. The defensive line could use another pass rusher. Pairing Myles Garrett with Montez Sweat would be loads of fun. However, the defense already has a ton of money sunk into it. The Bears have to start balancing the books with investments on the offensive side. Use those high draft choices on young players. Too often, they've been giving them up for guys like Sweat, Chase Claypool, Mack, Anthony Miller, Mitch Trubisky, and Jay Cutler. Garrett won't fix the other problems on this roster, as great as he is.
