The Best Chicago Bears Late Off-Season Trades Of All-Time

One thing to remember about the NFL off-season is that it's never over until it's over. There is always a possibility trades can be made, even at the eleventh hour. The Chicago Bears know this. They've been making deals in that timeframe for decades, often successfully. So what constitutes the "late off-season." I see it as the period between July 1st and September 1st. That is the peak summer months when free agency and the draft have long passed and right up to the start of the regular season.

People might be surprised by how many productive deals the Bears have made in that relatively small window over the years. Here are their best.

The Chicago Bears understand the value of patience.

2012: FB Tyler Clutts for CB Sherrick McManis

This was one of many player swaps teams have around that time of year. The Houston Texans needed help to bolster their running game in front of Arian Foster. Clutts had played well the previous year for the Bears. Chicago needed depth in the secondary and special teams help. McManis brought both. Clutts played 31 total snaps in Houston. McManis spent the next nine seasons with the Bears. In that time, he logged two interceptions, two forced fumbles and was one of the best special teams aces in franchise history. This is why such trades are so popular. Low risk, high reward.

1993: Kelly Blackwell, Markus Paul, and John Roper for 6th rounder, Vinson Smith, and Barry Minter

New head coach Dave Wannstedt knew he had to revamp the Bears defense, which had finally fallen apart due to age. Mike Singletary was gone. Otis Wilson and Wilber Marshall were long gone. There was nobody left to carry on the linebacker tradition. Nobody knew they'd found one in this trade. Not right away. Wannstedt was familiar with Minter from his time as defensive coordinator in Dallas. It took a few years as a backup and special teams player before the former 6th round pick got his opportunity. When he became a starter midway through 1996, the Bears realized they'd found a gem. Across 55 starts, he racked up 374 tackles, 11.5 sacks, four interceptions, and six forced fumbles.

2018: Four draft picks for Khalil Mack and two draft picks

It was the blockbuster that nobody saw coming. The Chicago Bears sent two 1st, a 3rd, and 6th round picks to the Las Vegas Raiders for star edge rusher Khalil Mack, a 2nd round pick, and a 7th round pick. Mack spent four seasons with the team, made three Pro Bowls, and collected 36 sacks. If that weren't enough, the 2nd rounder became Cole Kmet, who has developed into a productive tight end. The only valuable piece Las Vegas got out of that deal was running back Josh Jacobs. Everybody else they acquired is no longer on the team. While one wishes Mack could've stuck around longer, there is no question the Bears won big on that deal.

1988: Willie Gault for 1st and 3rd round picks

One of the key pieces of the 1985 team. Gault was a quality receiver for the Bears across five seasons, becoming one of the best deep threats of his era. However, by the end of 1987, it was clear friction had developed between him and quarterback Jim McMahon. Rather than continuing to deal with the headaches, Chicago accepted a strong offer from the Los Angeles Raiders to trade him. The 1st round pick they received in return became cornerback Donnell Woolford. He made the Pro Bowl during his long career in Chicago and finished fourth in franchise history with 32 interceptions.

1955: 3rd and 6th round picks for Ken Gorgal and Doug Atkins

It may have taken place a long time ago, but the impact is still felt even today. Cleveland Browns head coach Paul Brown is an all-time great. However, he did have one fatal flaw. He never understood how to manage more outspoken personalities. If guys stepped even a little out of line, he'd trade them. That is what happened with Doug Atkins. Despite helping Cleveland win the NFL championship in 1954, a belch during a film session finally broke the patience of Brown. He sent the headstrong defensive end to Chicago, where he became George Halas' problem. While Atkins remained a nuisance, the key difference is Halas understood what the defensive end could do on Sundays. That was dominating everybody. He made eight Pro Bowls, helped win the 1963 championship, and eventually landed in the Hall of Fame.