Chicago Bears Encouraged To Take A Calculated Gamble On Another Trade

The Chicago Bears have already made some bold moves this off-season via trade. They sent a 5th round pick to the Buffalo Bills for veteran guard Ryan Bates, a 4th round pick to the Los Angeles Chargers for Keenan Allen, and a 4th round pick next year to Buffalo for a 5th this year to get Austin Booker. GM Ryan Poles has made it clear he's not afraid to wheel and deal if he thinks the return will benefit his team. It is always about finding the right player for the right price. Would he be willing to roll the dice one more time?

Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report thinks so. It's noted the Bears have depth concerns along their defensive line. Drafting Booker helped somewhat, but they could still use another body. Perhaps somebody with enough ability to warrant the risk. The name in question is Payton Turner. A prospect out of Houston in 2021, he became the New Orleans Saints 1st round pick that year. However, injuries have hampered his progress over the past three seasons. While his career hasn't panned out to this point, a fresh start elsewhere might be what he needs.

It would be completely understandable if you had forgotten that Payton Turner was a first-round pick back in the 2021 draft. He has only appeared in 15 games since the Saints used the 28th overall pick on him.

Injuries have been a major contributor to the slow start to his NFL career. He had a rotational role as a rookie before a shoulder injury ended his season. He missed all but two games last season with a turf toe injury.

While some would be quick to call Turner a bust and move on, he has shown just enough potential to believe that his first-round pedigree still carries some wait. He looked better in 2022 than he did as a rookie and even generated a pair of pressures in his two games in 2023...

...It might be a little shocking that any team other than the Saints remember what made him a first-round pick. But, assuming the cost is low, he could be the type of high-upside player the Bears need in the room right now.

Turner is exactly the Chicago Bears' type of player.

Matt Eberflus loves defensive linemen who are long, powerful, and athletic. Turner checks all of those boxes. It was why he cracked the 1st round despite his relative inexperience. The flashes have been there. When Turner is on the field, his presence is felt. He is a strong run defender, using his power and length to set the edge. In 207 pass rushing snaps between 2021 and 2022, he had 26 total pressures and three sacks. The issue isn't lack of ability. It is availability. That is what the Bears would be gambling on.

New Orleans signed Chase Young in free agency two months ago. That leaves Turner's status on the roster uncertain after missing 15 games last season. If they are willing to make him available, the cost isn't likely to be more than a 5th round pick at most. The Chicago Bears have plenty of quality draft capital next year. They can afford to take the risk. That said, Ryan Poles has a track record of avoiding players with health histories. So such a move would be a departure from the norm.