Firmly in the middle of a rebuild, it would come as no surprise if the Bears elected to move on from one or more notable players in the coming days. Despite having a few options in that regard, though, it appears unlikely that will be the case. 
Citing the views of an AFC scout, Adam Jahns of The Athletic details that a major move in the coming days should not be expected (subscription required). Last year, Chicago agreed to send All-Pro linebacker Roquan Smith to the Ravens for a package including a second-round pick. A sizeable move of similar impact would likely only happen if the likes of cornerback Jaylon Johnson, safety Eddie Jackson or wideout Darnell Mooney were to be dealt.
That trio represents the Bears players most likely to garner attention, per Jahns. They would, of course, come at varying prices in a swap given their different age and contract statuses. Johnson’s future in the Windy City has been called into question on a number of occasions, but the 24-year-old said earlier this week that talks on an extension could heat up soon. General manager Ryan Poles has expressed a desire to keep Johnson in place beyond 2023, so a trade coming to fruition in the coming days would come as a surprise.
Jackson has a longer track record of success, but his age, along with injury- and finance-related factors would complicate a trade. The two-time Pro Bowler has been limited to just three games this season, and he last played a full campaign in 2020. Jackson is also due a non-guaranteed salary of $14.5MM in 2024, his age-30 season. He is scheduled to carry a cap hit of $18.1MM, so any acquiring team would either need to work out an extension to make his contract easier to work with in future years or make him a cap casualty after the season.
Mooney, like Johnson, is due for a second contract this offseason. The 2020 fifth-rounder appeared to cement his status as a long-term piece with a 1,000-yard campaign in his second season, but things have taken a turn since then. Mooney put up career lows in receptions, yards and touchdowns last season as the Bears struggled to find production in the passing game. That led to the acquisition of D.J. Moore, something which has in part resulted in a drop in Mooney’s playing time. The latter’s snap share sits at 70%, and he has made just 14 catches through seven games.
With over $9MM in cap space and seven 2024 draft picks at the moment, the Bears have plenty of flexibility with respect to the upcoming trade deadline. Their ability to receive more signficant draft capital in trades for Johnson and/or Mooney than the compensatory picks they would be due in the event they departed in free agency will likely factor heavily into their handling of those players. Overall, as Jahns notes, a busy few days from Poles and Co. would come as a surprise.
He can’t catch the ball if his QB doesn’t throw it to him.
Duh. The Bears will have 2 high first round picks next year. So everybody is going to try to dump their crap on them. It’s in their best interests to wait until the off season and then plug the holes with a ton of FA cash. Why give up draft picks for guys you can sign in the off season anyway? Whether we have the guys to make those decisions, Or coach the guys they do get is a whole other story. The best play is to wait and see who is available. If they could get either Marvin Harrison Jr. or a stud Edge guy with the first pick they have they should get some more assets by trading down the 2nd pick. Either way they need an edge and somebody to pair with Moore. QB can wait until later.
The FA hole plugging approach didn’t work this past offseason so why go down that road again? Do we want another useless OL the Raiders place on waivers? Maybe another Marcedez Lewis type acquisition will really make the needle move.
The FA route works just fine unless you shop at the bottom of the pool instead of the top. Example- Signing Davis to a 21 million dollar deal and the pathetic waste hasn’t even seen the field and getting outbid for McGlinchey and not signing Risner. Signing Lucas Patrick-another pathetic waste and passing on guys like Schmitz and Stromberg. If they want Chase young or whoever the Commanders can’t afford why trade for them now? They’ll be out there. Somebody will be out there. You can plug holes but not if you shop at Walmart instead of Bloomingdales, Or wherever.
It helped. Our run defense went from among the worst to among the best. Sign one of the several pass rushers coming out and our defense is in pretty good shape.
The two teams holding opponents to less than 3.5 yards per carry are Chicago and New England…both disasters at 2-5.
Well Poles gave up a high draft pick for a horrible WR, so its not like the trades helped either, but at least you can write off a FA signing, its just money.. miss in a trade of draft picks or on draft picks and it really hurts you org for many years.
They’d be selling low on Mooney and Jackson. Money’s pretty much been a no show so far and Jackson can’t stay on the field. Mooney may still turn it around but I’m betting Jackson is gone after this season. Too much $ for too little return.
Mooney has proven he’s not a #2 WR. He doesn’t really get separation anymore and hasn’t really shown much. The Bears need to replace some late round picks they traded away. Time to see what Scott and Jones really are. I’d have no problem trading Mooney or Jackson but who’d want Jackson? He’s worthless. Jaylon Johnson has to stay however and be extended.
Nothing better than a journalist that quotes the unknown scout. Is it whose opinion? The journalist, people say – who are the people. What’s next a poll asking if the day is going well? 95 % say yes and others not quite sure.
So how do we know you’re the real harrycarey? Perhaps you are just a doppleganger posting a comment here to discredit the true harrycarey. Should we be insisting you present some bona-fides?
The Bears are looking for the #1 and #2 picks in the draft next season.. Do not be surprised if they trade Fields, Mooney, Johnson, Jackson, Herbert, Foreman.. Heck maybe even DJ Moore depending on what they could get for him… Any way to get more picks, and be insanely mediocre to ensure the top two picks.
They should all go. Fields has redeemed at least a little of his value, and Mooney and Moore will be gone by the time the Bears contend again.