The NFL doesn't typically operate like the NBA does when it comes to trades. This is because football is a significantly different sport when it comes to roster size and salary structure. This is why three-team trades are more common in basketball than they are in the NFL. The last time it happened was 2017 when the Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills, and Los Angeles Rams swapped a total of three players and three draft picks. That raises an interesting question. Could the Chicago Bears do something similar?
It's no secret that they might be in the market for quarterback help. Mitch Trubisky has regressed in a huge way this season. The confidence he played with in 2018 appears to be gone. He's making mistakes he did as a rookie. Bad reads, holding the ball too long, missing open receivers, and refusing to take off and run. Nobody knows for certain what is going on but it's apparent the 25-year old still isn't getting it.
Some say the best thing for the Bears to do is simply ride this thing out. Let Trubisky finish the season and then make a decision on his future next spring. Except it's not that simple. The Bears aren't entirely out of the playoff race yet and it's clear quarterback is their primary issue. If they could somehow just find somebody who can play the position at an average level, they could be okay. The problem is QBs tend not to come cheap.
This is where a three-team deal might be handy.
Chicago Bears could get Andy Dalton for cheap
One name that Bears fans probably don't want to hear at this point is Andy Dalton. The soon-to-be 32-year old quarterback of the Cincinnati Bengals is in the midst of a rough start to the 2019 season, throwing eight touchdowns and eight interceptions while going 0-7. Much of his career has been stained by mediocrity and an inability to step up in the playoffs. However, his recent struggles are hardly his fault.
The Bengals offensive line has let him get sacked 24 times already this season and their defense is allowing the most yards in the NFL. When he actually has protection and a couple of decent weapons, he can be decent. The Bears would give anything for decent at this point. So presuming the winless Bengals are willing to make him available, how could GM Ryan Pace get him?
For that he'd need an assist from the Seattle Seahawks.
Bears receive:
- QB Andy Dalton
Seahawks receive:
- TE Trey Burton
- 7th round pick (via Bengals)
Bengals receive:
- 5th round pick (via Bears)
- 4th round pick (via Seahawks)
Here's why this trade can work. Obviously the Bears don't want to surrender too much draft capital in a trade. This deal allows them to lose only a 5th rounder, of which they have two or possibly three next year. Then there is the Trey Burton move. The veteran is not proving to be worth his contract at this point. Seattle though is desperate for tight end help after losing Will Dissly for the season to an Achilles injury.
Cincinnati? They secure two mid-round selections for their 2020 draft inventory along with an additional $17.7 million in salary cap space courtesy of unloading Dalton's contract. Seattle also gets the 7th round pick in return as a sweetener to make the Burton move easier for them.
Now suddenly the Bears have an interesting situation. Dalton is under contract at present through the 2020 season. This could make him a good bridge quarterback option until Chicago gets back into the 1st round of the draft in 2021. That would free them up to use the upcoming draft to bolster the rest of the roster. They'd also be free of Burton's bothersome contract as they look to restructure their payroll.
It's hardly the ideal solution, but it is one that can work.
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