One week before the 2022 NFL Draft next Thursday in Las Vegas, trade rumors have begun to swirl around San Francisco 49ers All-Pro Deebo Samuel. On Thursday, ESPN reporter Jeff Darlington reported that Samuel had requested a trade from the 49ers. With the Bears having a significant weakness at the wide receiver position that needs to be addressed, new general manager Ryan Poles should strongly pursue San Francisco's top-level wide receiver.

The Bears Have To Address The Wide Receiver Position And Have The Resources To Do So

Last season, Samuel was arguably the most explosive player in the NFC as he recorded over 1,400 receiving yards while rushing for 365 yards. The 49ers' receiver led the league in yards per reception with 18.2 yards and scored 14 total touchdowns. Samuel was one of the main reasons why San Francisco was able to make a late-season playoff run that culminated in them playing in the NFC championship. What makes Samuel so valuable is that he also excelled as a rusher last season, averaging 6.2 yards per attempt. 49ers' head coach Kyle Shanahan used his wide receiver on a variety running plays, including traditional hand-offs and end-arounds. He either caught or ran for a touchdown in seven of the final eight games he played in for San Francisco in 2021.

Poles is looking to find a playmaker similar to Samuel in next week's NFL draft as Chicago's new general manager is trying to improve the Bears' offense around second-year quarterback Justin Fields. Fields' best pass-catcher is Darnell Mooney, who recorded a 1,000-yard receiving season in 2021, but the Bears currently lack additonal proven wide receivers. Poles has made it known that he wants to surround his quarterback with as many weapons as possible to be successful. Although trading with San Francisco could be difficult, Poles and the Bears have the resources to execute a trade for Samuel. Despite not having a first-round selection in this year's draft, Chicago does have two second-round selections. Additionally, the Bears could offer a pick from next year's draft, enticing the 49ers even more. The Bears will be in a rebuild this season and will likely have a high position in the 2023 NFL Draft. A second-round selection this year and a high-level second-round selection next year could be enough to acquire Samuel.

Poles could part ways with a high-round pick in next year's draft because of the massive salary cap space Chicago will have after the 2022 season. The Bears are projected to have over 100 million dollars in cap space. The cap space would enable Chicago to sign Samuel to a contract extension and substitute the trade as a draft selection. With two 1,000 yard receivers to throw to, Fields would have the best chance to succeed in 2022 as the Bears' quarterback.

Samuel Allows Chicago To Be Proactive Instead of Reactive At The Wide Receiver Position

Another reason why it may be in Poles' best interest to trade for Samuel is because of Chicago's recent luck in trying to improve the wide receiver position. Over the last few offseason, the Bears have failed and have had luck working against them when trying to acquire talented wide receivers. Following the 2020 season, former general manager Ryan Pace attempted to sign Pro Bowl wide receiver Kenny Golladay but was significantly limited by salary cap restrictions and couldn't compete with the New York Giants' offer. This offseason, once it was known that the Bears would have over 100 million dollars in salary cap space in 2023, fans and analysts were excited at the possibility of Chicago being able to sign the best free-agent wide receivers, including Davante Adams and Tyreek Hill. Not only were Adams and Hill traded to new teams this offseason, but they immediately signed lucrative long-term contract extensions. Chicago could easily use the money there were going to allocate for a premiere wide receiver next year towards a contract extension for Samuel if they were to trade for him.

With mid-level free agent wide receiver signing, including Byron Pringle and Equanimeous St. Brown, Poles is expected to select a wide receiver in the second or third round of next week's draft. This issue with attempting to draft a receiver is that another team could pick the prospect before the Bears' selection comes up, or the receiving prospect is drafted by Chicago, and is a bust. Poles could want to draft a receiving prospect in either George Pickens or Chris Olave, but he could be in trouble if either player is taken before Chicago makes their selection at 39. Trading for Samuel would enable the Bears' new front office to avoid the embarrassment of being left empty-handed by missing on a prospect they wanted. Furthermore, it would give Poles the first blockbuster move of his general manager career.

Although potentially costly from both a draft capital and salary cap space, trading for Samuel is something the Bears need to do and can afford. Poles has made it known that he wants to add a top-level receiver to help with Fields' growth, and trading for an All-Pro caliber player would help that growth immensely. Samuel would give Chicago a boost on offense and help speed up their rebuild immediately.