With less than a week remaining before the 2024 NFL Trade Deadline, Ryan Poles and the rest of the Chicago Bears front office will continue to contact teams around the league and do their due diligence on certain players that could be on the market.
It has been no secret that Ryan Poles has been actively at the trade deadline in his tenure as the general manager of the Bears, trading away players like Robert Quinn and Roquan Smith in 2022 while also acquiring Chase Claypool in 2022 and Montez Sweat in 2023.
While every player has a price when it comes to the trade market, this list will be limited to players who are possible to see dealt on deadline day.
Offensive Line
The Bears have been struggling with their offensive line all season and with more injuries along the position group following the disaster in our nation’s capital, the need grows larger. The Bears currently rank 16th in points per game (23.3), 19th in rush yards per game (118.7), 28th in pass yards per game (183.6), and 27th in total yards per game (302.3)
Evan Neal - OT - New York Giants
Evan Neal has had a disappointing few seasons in New York after being drafted seventh overall in 2022, with a pick the Giants acquired from the Bears in 2021 that landed Chicago quarterback Justin Fields, making it seem that Neal could be on his way out.
Neal has seen a drastic change in his playing time after starting 13 games in 2022, seven in 2023, and zero so far through the first eight weeks of 2024.
At 24 years old, Neal can still turn into an above-average offensive lineman in the NFL, even if it means moving him inside to guard.
If traded to Chicago, Neal would be under contract for the 2025 season with a potential fifth-year option that would need to be picked up following this season.
Robert Hunt - OG - Carolina Panthers
While Robert Hunt did sign a five-year, $100 million deal with the Carolina Panthers back in March stranger trades have happened.
The Panthers have continued their trend of being a dumpster fire of an organization despite having a solid offseason on paper. After their 1-7 start, they have already dealt wide receiver Diontae Johnson to Baltimore after acquiring him in a trade before training camp, leaving people around the NFL curious as to what the Panthers front office is thinking.
Throughout the 2024 regular season, Hunt has played 480 snaps while giving up three sacks on the year.
If traded to Chicago, Hunt would be with the team through the 2028 season.
The real question though is would the Panthers even want to make another trade with Chicago after what happened last time? Once again, thank you for Caleb Williams and D.J. Moore, Carolina.
Wyatt Teller - OG - Cleveland Browns
The three-time Pro Bowl interior lineman has had his name floated in trade talk throughout the season but with the Browns being 2-6 it makes a lot of sense for Cleveland to make this type of move.
In 250 snaps throughout 2024, Teller has allowed only one sack.
If traded to Chicago, the Bears would have Teller through the 2025 season.
Defensive Line
While this isn’t the biggest need for the Bears, it has still created issues for the team. The Bears currently rank 15th in sacks (20), 14th in rushing yards per game (120), and 11th in total yards per game (319).
Harold Landry III - EDGE - Tennessee Titans
A big target for the Bears is Titans pass rusher Harold Landry III. After missing the 2022 season with a torn ACL, Landry went off for 10.5 sacks and 70 tackles.
Currently, Landry has played 340 snaps with 4 sacks and 31 tackles. Outside of the 4 sacks, Landry has 3 QB hits and 7 hurries. Landry would come to Chicago and allow Montez sweat to no longer be the sole pass-rushing focus for the Bears.
If traded to Chicago, Landry would be under contract with the Bears through the 2026 season.
Davon Godchaux - DT - New England Patriots
It has been reported that the Patriots are open to listening to any trade teams are willing to offer. One of the players who could be dealt along the Patriots defensive line is Davon Godchaux.
Godchaux is a talented run defender who can slow down the opponent's run game drastically. In 2024, Godchaux leads the NFL among defensive tackles with 26. Despite not having any sacks on the year, Godchaux still can get to the quarterback as he has 1 QB hit and 4 hurries through the first eight games.
Pairing Godchaux with Gervon Dexter in the middle of the Bears’ defensive line can change how the Bears run their defense with the addition of a run-defending defensive tackle.
If traded to Chicago, Godchaux would be with the Bears through 2026.
Azeez Ojulari - EDGE - New York Giants
Ojulari has shown a lot of talent since being drafted in the second round by the Giants in 2021. The Giants have a logjam off the edge with Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux, when he’s healthy, Ojulari seems to be the odd one out.
Despite being riddled with injuries in previous years, Ojulari has been able to stay on the field so far in 2024 and is on pace for 12 sacks.
So far in 2024, Ojulari has been on the field for 302 snaps and has amassed 6 sacks, 24 tackles, and 1 fumble recovery. Outside of those raw numbers, Ojulari has added 12 hurries on opposing quarterbacks.
If traded to Chicago, Ojulari would need to be extended following this season.
It is highly possible that the Bears won’t buy on any players at the deadline but they likely will sell off some of the assets on their roster.
Among those players:
Khalil Herbert - HB
Nate Davis - OG
Dominique Robinson - EDGE
Larry Boron - OT
It will be fascinating what Chicago does at the deadline as they look to make a playoff push as we reach the back half of the 2024 regular season.
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