Chicago Bears Urged to Trade Defensive Leader Before Draft

The Chicago Bears offseason plan appears to be gaining some clarity. GM Ryan Pace seems focused on holding the roster he has built together as much as possible. He already re-signed Bobby Massie to a new deal. Now his focus is set on secondary starters Adrian Amos and Bryce Callahan. While it would make for a big challenge, there is a belief in the organization that there may be a way to keep both. Time will tell on that. If it ends up true, it kills any possibility of the team making an aggressive move on the free agent market. They will likely seek out bargain options to fill out their depth chart and focus on getting the best they can from the draft. The problem is they don't have much to work with. Only five picks and none in the first two rounds. This has left the question open. Is there a way to gain an extra pick and maybe some extra cash as well? Most of the rumors have centered on Jordan Howard. For obvious reasons. He's young, productive, and still on a cheap contract. He also appears to be a bad fit in Matt Nagy's offense. Trading him might net a mid-round pick and $2 million in cap space. Football Outsiders, in an article they put up with ESPN, have a different name in mind though. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvpiuhDYKHM

Could Danny Trevathan trade actually serve the Bears better now?

The name they have in mind is inside linebacker Danny Trevathan. One of the leaders and a consistent performer in their front seven, he nonetheless is approaching an awkward point in his career. He turns 29 in March and enters the final year of his contract. This may be the last chance the Bears get to move him before his value drops, all the while gaining assets for the future.

"Trevathan should be the cap casualty to clear space. The linebacker is a good player and leader for the Bears, but that is not the argument. Trevathan has just one year left on his contract, and the Bears likely will not be in position to re-sign him. Conversely, Trevathan could be traded for a draft pick or two and net the team $4.75 million in cap savings right now. A number of Chicago's key contracts either end or open up to options during the 2020 offseason, so getting ahead of the curve with some savings and more draft picks for cheap roster spots could be of great value when it comes time to retool the roster next year."

It's an interesting point. Mitch Trubisky, Eddie Jackson, and Tarik Cohen all enter contract years in 2020. The odds are Pace and the team will want to get them locked up sooner than later. Trading Trevathan would be looked up as a tough but necessary sacrifice to maintain the long-term stability of the franchise. In terms of compensation, the Bears could likely get a 5th round pick for him. That seems to be the going rate for productive veteran inside linebackers in the past. Normally that might look a bit cheap but remember. Pace acquired Amos, Howard, and Bilal Nichols with 5th round picks. Still, don't count on it happening. Trevathan is an established heartbeat for that defense. A leader on and off the field. It's doubtful Pace would get rid of him for some extra money and a low draft pick.