New Bears Trade Opportunity Could Reunite Vic Fangio With Ex-Star

Vic Fangio deserves some credit for keeping the Chicago Bears defense respectable. This despite a brutal string of misfortunes over the past calendar year. Most of them having to do with injuries. Every single position on that side of the depth chart was or is still not at full strength due to key losses. Perhaps nowhere is it felt more than at inside linebacker. The run of bad luck at that position is striking. Since last year they've seen each of the notable names playing there get hit with one bad break after another. Danny Trevathan tore his patella tendon last year. Then when he fights his way back to good health he's slapped with a suspension by the league for a controversial hit in Green Bay. Jerrell Freeman? He played well in 2016 but lost four games to a PED suspension. One snap into 2017 he tears his pectoral muscle and is done for the year. Last but not least promising youngster Nick Kwiatkoski suffered a pec injury of his own. Chicago is dying for a spark, or at least consistency at that position. Lo and behold a notable name just became available. (continue to next page)

Latest Bears trade opportunity involve a Pro Bowl linebacker

NaVorro Bowman at one point in time was arguably one of the three or four best inside linebackers in professional football. A tough, athletic and instinctive playmaker who drove offenses crazy. Unfortunately a bad knee injury cost him the 2014 season. He battled back and went to the Pro Bowl in 2015 though. The problem was constant coaching changes and an Achilles injury in 2016 continued to hamper his impact. This past offseason the San Francisco 49ers made it even tougher by switch to a 4-3 scheme. He'd made his greatest impact in a 3-4, most prominently under the guidance of Fangio from 2011 to 2013 when he was defensive coordinator. Even though Bowman leads the 49ers in tackles so far this season, word is the front office is interested in moving on.

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A Bowman trade will be about price and long-term outlook

At first reaction this sounds like an easy decision. Bowman was a star under Fangio and odds are a reunion could lead to instant success. At the same time though, one must be careful about these types of trade. For one there is the price factor. How much do the 49ers want for him. Yes he's a Pro Bowler but he also turns 30 next May and has two significant injuries in the past three years. If San Francisco is seeking even a mid round pick, that is problematic. Then there's the matter of his contract. Bowman will carry a cap hit of almost $12 million in 2018. Is that a deal GM Ryan Pace really wants to absorb for a linebacker who is on the down slope of his career? Then there's the situation of the Bears team itself. Even if Bowman was an instant success this team doesn't feel like it's one good player away from contention. They need another solid offseason before they become a factor. Can Bowman maintain a high level of play for two or three years? It's possible but unlikely given the injury woes this team keeps suffering through under John Fox. There is no question a Bowman trade would be a gamble. One that could get them a playmaker at a key position. Or it could get them another expensive veteran who's hurt all the time. Smart money says the Bears let somebody else take the risk.