A Chicago Bears Trade Target To Keep An Eye On
The Chicago Bears don’t know what 2022 holds for them. At 1-1, they’re still very much in the mix for the NFC playoff picture. That said, the evidence is there this team is flawed. They have weak points across the roster that will need fixing next off-season. Wide receiver will be a huge focus when that happens. GM Ryan Poles wasn’t in a good position to do much about that problem this past spring. The Bears had limited spending money, and few draft picks.
That will change in 2023. While most people have their eyes fixed on the draft, it will be interesting to see if the Bears seek out some veteran help. They could have upwards of $100 million in cap space, so money won’t be an issue. The problem is the market may not help much. Currently, the most prominent names that could be available include Mecole Hardman, Jakobi Meyers, Scott Miller, Jamison Crowder, and Jarvis Landry.
Not exactly an inspiring group.
There is the trade market, however. This past off-season proved many teams are reluctant to give big money to receivers. Hence why some big trades happened. Tyreek Hill, A.J. Brown, Amari Cooper, DeVante Parker, Davante Adams, and Robert Woods were all dealt to new teams. That offers hope Poles could find a deal waiting for him in March. When looking at the overall landscape, one name that stands out is Tyler Boyd.
Chicago Bears must monitor that situation carefully.
Boyd has been a remarkably steady presence for Cincinnati since he became a full-time starter in 2018. Over the following four seasons, he’s averaged 935 yards and five touchdowns every year. That kind of consistency is hard to come by. He turns 28 years old in November, so he’s also in his physical prime. So why would the Bengals entertain trading him? The simple answer is they’re about to shell out loads of cash to two other receivers on their roster.
Tee Higgins is a free agent in 2024, so he’ll be looking for an extension after this season is over. He cracked 1,000 yards last year. Ja’Marr Chase will then command a mega contract of his own a year later. Cincinnati has to budget its money carefully. Boyd’s trade value won’t get much higher next off-season, and they would secure an extra $8.9 million in cap space by unloading him. Money they can use to shore up other problematic areas on the roster.
Boyd wouldn’t be the star the Chicago Bears are missing, but he would absolutely raise the overall floor of the passing game. He is a savvy, sure-handed target that is a significant threat on 3rd down. If Poles can get him for a mid-round pick, it’s a deal work making.