The trade rumors involving the Bears and Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson intensified this week as any social media post involving Wilson was intensely analyzed by fans and the media. The Seahawks quarterback is somewhat unhappy with the team as he wants to be assured by coach Pete Carroll that the team will improve their offensive line. Many Bears fans are urging the team to give up everything to acquire Wilson, including multiple first-round selections and defensive stars. Fans have not discussed where the Bears could be after trading for Wilson in the long run.

Prior History Shows The Dangers Of "Going All In" For One Season

If the Bears were to trade for Wilson, it would likely come either right before or at the start of the new league this upcoming Wednesday at 3 pm. At that time, Free agents can officially sign with new teams, and trades become official. It would make sense for Chicago to want to have a deal set to fix any holes on the team to have the best team in place for 2021 if they acquire Wilson. The Bears wouldn't have the first-round draft selections for presumably the next three seasons and a defensive star, potentially either Roquan Smith or Jaylon Johnson. Many assume that Chicago would become a favorite to win next year's Super Bowl if they acquire Wilson. Fans and the media haven't discussed what happens if the team fails to not only make a deep playoff run in 2021 but what happens if they miss the playoffs entirely. In all likelihood, the Bears would enter a complete rebuild as both general manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy would let go. The organization would then begin to gut the roster of expensive veteran contracts, including several Pro Bowl players on defense. All the Bears would have left would be Wilson and a few young players.

Bears fans witnessed something similar to this in 2009 when the team acquired Jay Cutler and finished with a highly disappointing 7-9 season. Head coach Lovie Smith was almost fired as his defense struggled. General manager Jerry Angelo fired Smith's entire offensive staff due to offensive short-comings. Angelo struggled to find coaches to work for the team as many were afraid of a one-and-done situation if the team struggled again in 2010. The 2010 season was saved for the Bears due to Smith's deep coaching connections and a massive salary cap space that enabled the team to sign the best free agents available that year.

The current Chicago Bears would not have that luxury if the team struggles in their first season after acquiring Wilson. The McCaskey family would have a near-impossible job of trying to hire a general manager and head coach to oversee a complete rebuild with no immediate first-round draft picks and very little cap space to pursue free agents. Wilson signed a four-year contract extension in 2019 worth 170 million dollars, with 107 million being guaranteed. If Chicago, in search of a new general manager or head coach next year, any of the best candidates available may pass on the job due to lack of resources, including Joe Brady.

Chicago Was Reminded This Of the Negatives Of Trading Players for One Year

Another risk that fans and the media are not discussing is what happens if the Bears traded the wrong player in return for Wilson, and Chicago doesn't see the success they envisioned. One player that could go to Seattle in a potential trade would be linebacker Roquan Smith. Smith has been one of the best linebackers in the league since being drafted in the first round in 2018. The linebacker has averaged 120 tackles in his first three seasons of his career. At the age of 23, Smith would be one player the Bears could keep for the long-term and build around if a rebuild were to commence after 2021.

Ten years ago, Chicago made the mistake of trading a young player because of a decision to fill a short-term need. Before the 2011 season started, the Bears traded talented tight end, Greg Olsen, to the Carolina Panthers in return for a third-round pick in the 2012 NFL draft. Chicago moved Olsen because he didn't fit offensive coordinator Mike Martz's offense. Martz was gone following the 2011 season, while the tight end went on to have a hall of fame career. Olsen would be named to three consecutive Pro Bowl with Panthers while having five or more touchdown catches and over 800 yards of receiving in five straight seasons. Olsen announced his retirement earlier this week and had highlighted his playing-time in Chicago as a significant part of his career.

The Bears would struggle heavily at the tight end position for both the 2011 and 2012 seasons before signing Martellus Bennett in 2013. If Chicago were to include Smith in a trade package for Wilson, it would be almost impossible to replace a player of his caliber. The Bears would be without a first-round draft pick nor have the salary-cap space needed to sign a Pro Bowl player in the years following the trade.

As much as fans and the media are desperate for the Bears to finally solve their long-standing quarterback issue, the possible shortcomings of a potential trade have to be considered. The Bears organization would have their quarterback but could be stuck rebuild hell if the 2021 season does not pan out the way many envision. The Bears organization was just in the same rebuild position in 2015 were there for three seasons. A rebuild starting in 2022 could last longer due to depleted resources following a potential blockbuster trade.