Side Effect of Huge NFL Trade May Actually Help Chicago Bears Plans

The Chicago Bears 2018 plans are a mystery. One thing that is likely though? They aren't going to make any aggressive trades. At least not before the draft. GM Ryan Pace isn't known for that sort of thing. Besides, the Bears roster isn't in a position where a big trade for a notable player would put them on the path to the Super Bowl. They aren't there yet. However, this doesn't mean they can't benefit from such trades. Already they might be given a huge opportunity thanks to a blockbuster that is set to go down. The Los Angeles Rams have worked out a deal with the Kansas City Chiefs that will send Pro Bowl cornerback Marcus Peters to the west coast in exchange for a package of draft picks. It's the second such major deal to happen this off-season and free agency is still almost three weeks away.

On the surface that's a huge score for the Rams who are already considered a Super Bowl threat. At the same time, the Chiefs rebuild gets a huge boost with another influx of quality draft choices as they try to reform the roster around Patrick Mahomes. That's all fine and good. So what does this have to do with the Bears?

Peters arrival thrusts Trumaine Johnson into Chicago Bears 2018 plans

One thing this trade does is make the fate of pending Rams free agent Trumaine Johnson clear. The 28-year old cornerback was held in place by the franchise tag this past season. Some wondered if L.A. might make a late push to re-sign him. The Peters deal nixes that idea. So Johnson will become a free agent.

This is great news for the Bears. They have their own situation at cornerback developing. Four of their top guys are coming out of contract including Kyle Fuller, Prince Amukamara, Bryce Callahan and Sherrick McManis. Money isn't a big issue. They have enough to retain all four if they wished. It's a question of whether the deals can be struck before March 14th and whether they want to stay. If any of them leave, particularly Fuller or Amukamara, the Bears absolutely have to get aggressive on the free agent market to replace them. Having a quality veteran like Johnson enter the pool will be a welcome relief. The 2018 class is looking like it should be a strong one.

• Trumaine Johnson
• Malcolm Butler
• Darqueze Dennard
• Aaron Colvin
• Vontae Davis
• E.J. Gaines

There's a lot of talent in that group and considerable depth beyond them. There are no guarantees in free agency, but it's common sense that the more quality targets are available the better the odds of the Bears landing one. Johnson has 10 interceptions over the past three seasons. It would be fun to see what Vic Fangio could do with him.