Chicago Bears Quietly Ramping Up Search For Help On Trade Market

Beating the Dallas Cowboys was a major relief for the Chicago Bears. It saved their season, at least for a week. Now, they have a chance to build some momentum. If they can go into Las Vegas and take down the Raiders, they will reach the bye at 2-2 with time to regroup. The win also kept the door open in other ways. According to a source, the Bears have kept their ears to the ground for possible help on the trade market. Word is head coach Ben Johnson is not happy with the state of the running game. D'Andre Swift isn't providing the answers he wants. It is hoped the Bears might be able to find a solution.

Based on the information available, there are three names they are keeping tabs on:

• Alvin Kamara (Saints)
• Devon Achane (Dolphins)
• Breece Hall (Jets)

None of these is a surprise. All three play for teams that are currently winless through three weeks. Kamara is 30 years old and costs $10 million this season, but remains a versatile and dangerous presence. Achane is one of the fastest running backs in the NFL and is still only 24. Miami wants to get rookie Ollie Gordon more involved, so trading Achane would make sense. Hall is in the last year of his rookie deal. New York probably doesn't want to pay him. A trade is their best way to avoid losing him for nothing in free agency next spring.

There are some disagreements among the Chicago Bears brass.

People in the front office are urging GM Ryan Poles to delay any decisions. They caution that moving now could cost the Chicago Bears opportunities at other players who might become available closer to the deadline at the end of October. Dallas, Atlanta, Carolina, and Houston are all 1-2. If any of them continue stumbling over the next two or three weeks, they could make some capable players available. Much depends on Coach Johnson. He is the primary decision-maker now. If he is dead set on getting help at running back, Poles is duty-bound to go get it. Smart money says the Bears will at least wait until after the results of the game in Vegas. If they lose and drop to 1-3, trading for help might not make as much sense. A win, on the other hand, might be all the incentive they need to pull the trigger.