Chicago Bears Could Secure Notable Former 1st Rounder Via Trade

The Chicago Bears know a lot is riding on this 2021 season. Especially from the perspective of the offense. GM Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy have done a lot to help improve their situation from last year. They overhauled the quarterback spot, reloaded the wide receiver position, and deepened their stable of running backs. Yet much of this hinges on their efforts to improve the offensive line. So far? Most people aren't impressed. Charles Leno and Bobby Massie were both released this offseason. Second round draft pick Teven Jenkins already underwent back surgery and could be done for the year. This has forced the team to sign a 39-year old Jason Peters to compete with 5th round pick Larry Borom at left tackle. All while Germain Ifedi, who had originally signed with Chicago to be a guard in 2020, came back to be their right tackle.

Not ideal.

This is why calls for the team to bolster the position remain ongoing. The blocking this preseason has been poor, to say the least. Elijah Wilkinson and Lachavious Simmons have both looked like liabilities. There has to be a way to get something going at that position. If the Bears are looking to be aggressive in continuing to fuel the competition? Then perhaps they should place a phone call to Atlanta. According to Matt Urben of Falcons Wire, there is a legitimate possibility former 1st round tackle Kaleb McGary is available.

"The Falcons’ offensive line is probably the team’s biggest weakness, and former first-round pick Kaleb McGary has not solidified the right tackle spot as the team hoped. Currently, McGary is second string on the depth chart and Atlanta’s current front office has no ties to the 26-year-old lineman. If the Falcons could swing a trade for a late-round pick, it would free up cap space while giving McGary a fresh start in his third season."

This is often what can happen when regimes change. The GM and head coach who drafted McGary in 2019 are both gone. That means his prior draft status doesn't hold the same clout as it did before. Now there is a chance he is on his way out. Perhaps all the Falcons need is a little incentive. Is he worth the gamble for Chicago? He did show improvement last season. After allowing 13 sacks as a rookie, McGary only allowed four in 2020. This despite going against an array of great pass rushers in the NFC South. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8puWr9rmnsw&ab_channel=UnintentionalGrounding

Chicago Bears staff would likely love McGary

Here is the thing to remember. Offensive line coach Juan Castillo loves two things in his offensive linemen. Size and nastiness. McGary definitely has both those traits. At 6'7, 320 lbs he fits the profile of a bigger offensive tackle. The knock on him was his shorter-than-average arms. Still, he built a reputation as a physical blocker for Washington. Something that carried over into the NFL. When Atlanta ran the ball behind him last year, they had some success. Castillo is no stranger to reclamation projects. He turned former Panthers 3rd rounder Evan Mathis into a starter and he eventually became an All-Pro. Former Buccaneers 3rd rounder Jeremy Zuttah went to his only Pro Bowl once Castillo got his hands on him. There is no reason to think the Chicago Bears line maestro can't do more of the same for McGary, who is more talented than either of those former players.

It is something to consider.

Several trades are already happening across the NFL. If the Falcons are set in their course at right tackle and McGary is the backup? Then the Bears would be wise to at least explore his availability. If the price isn't too steep then that is a worthwhile gamble. Don't forget Pace has ties to the new Falcons GM Terry Fontenot too.