All of the talk surrounding the Chicago Bears going into 2017 will be about how they can improve. Whatever it takes to avoid another debacle like this season was. Going 3-13 for the first time in franchise history. Everything from free agency through the draft will command the full attention of the front office and coaching staff.
Easy to understand too. The common knowledge at Halas Hall is another failed year could result in jobs being lost. No doubt the urgency will be kicked up a notch. This includes the point of possibly seeking upgrades through the other primary method of trading. Thus far the Bears have been in selling mode, shipping out older veterans or failed high draft picks.
Now the conversation is shifting to the idea of acquiring players. The big name that has dominated media and social media circles for weeks is Patriots backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Not hard to see why given their quarterback needs. However, the likelihood of that happening is remote at this point.
If the Bears were to make a move on the market though, there is one name that people should get to know.
CALCULATED GAMBLING
The name Sheldon Richardson evokes mixed emotions among NFL fans, particularly in the New York area. On the one hand he's known for being somewhat of a malcontent. He's been fined for getting in fights on the field while also earning suspensions and arrests for marijuana use. To say nothing of questions regarding his effort level. On the other many see him as a talented, young defensive lineman who can be ultra-disruptive. Between 2014 and 2015 he notched 13 sacks in just 27 games and made his first Pro Bowl. Even though his stats took a dip this past season (as did the entire Jets roster), some argue he was just as effective as previous years. Randy Lange of the Jets' team website explained how in detail."Richardson by my count totaled 20 tackles for loss/no gain (on runs and receptions, not including sacks) and 13 tackles for loss (weeding out the zero gains). Those numbers are exceptional in recent Jets history. I've never charted a 20-TFLNG season since 1995 (Bart Scott's 18.5 in 2010 was the previous high) nor another double-digit TFL season since 2004 (Muhammad Wilkerson's 9.5 in '14 was the top mark). Richardson's highlights: He had two tackles for loss plus one sack in the Game 8 win over the Ravens, and his season high was 3.5 tackles for loss/no gain on New Year's Day vs. the Bills."[video width="1280" height="720" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Inside-the-Numbers-Bilal-One-More-Time.mp4"][/video] So why would Richardson be available for trade? It starts with the issues listed above. It seems the young defensive lineman isn't happy with the current state of the Jets franchise. He hasn't been shy about saying so either. That might not entice Bears fans too much until they realize it came in his criticism of teammate Brandon Marshall for calling out the team during an ugly loss to Indianapolis. https://twitter.com/DarrylSlater/status/815918809777393664 So it's apparent he isn't a fan of infighting and also wants to win. That's good. Then there is the more practical issue for New York: money. The Jets are about to be in a serious salary cap crunch. According to overthecap.com, they are projected to be $7.6 million over the cap limit in 2017. Richardson is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Having already given Muhammad Wilkerson a big $86 million extension, the odds are they won't do the same for him. That gives them one of two options. Either they let his contract run out and he becomes a free agent. Or they attempt to trade him this off-season and try to get something in return.
COST EFFECTIVE
Ryan Pace said that his primary job going into 2017 was to get playmakers for his squad. An "impact guy" was the way he put it. The stats and the tape show Richardson is indeed an impact guy. Can one imagine how he'd look lined up alongside Eddie Goldman and Akiem Hicks? The potential benefits for the entire Bears defense would be astronomical. Best of all there are plenty of other reasons to believe a trade is possible:- The Jets and Bears have done business before (Marshall trade)
- Vic Fangio runs a 3-4 scheme and is good with defensive linemen
- Chicago has more than enough money to extend him
- His recent downturn and current contract length drop his price tag
