Robert Quinn and Roquan Smith are two of four players whose contracts could be terminated by the Bears.
Four Bears players who could be dealt before the deadline
Ryan Poles, the team’s general manager, spent the offseason completely overhauling the roster in order to kickstart a rebuild. He’ll have more than $100 million in his pocket and a nearly full arsenal of draft picks (minus a sixth rounder). Poles, on the other hand, has already demonstrated that he is always looking to acquire additional draft capital, which may include moving some expensive veterans or future free agents.
While the Bears aren’t in contention for anything this season besides a top-10 draft pick, there are reasons to believe they’ll be sellers before the deadline.
- RB David Montgomery
Since being drafted in 2019, David Montgomery has been the Bears’ most consistent offensive player. Montgomery is in the final year of his rookie contract, and Chicago may decide to part ways with him. If that’s the case, Poles may be able to secure draft compensation for Montgomery.
But it all depends on a few factors. First, whether Montgomery is in Chicago’s long-term plans, as the Poles could certainly re-sign him to a team-friendly contract in the offseason. While the Bears also have Khalil Herbert, Montgomery is a better all-around back with better blocking skills than Herbert. Even if Chicago is willing to let Montgomery walk in free agency, there must be a team willing to send draft capital and sign Montgomery to an extension — unless they are looking to rent him for the rest of the season. At this point, a Montgomery trade appears unlikely.
- DE Robert Quinn
Robert Quinn is the most likely player to be traded before the trade deadline. Quinn is coming off one of his best seasons, in which he set a franchise record with 18.5 sacks while earning Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in 2021. But he’s had a slow start to the season, with just one sack through six games.
According to reports, the Bears are currently shopping Quinn, and it has been documented that they were trying to trade him even before the regular season began. Quinn is the name to watch as Poles looks to get expensive contracts off the books, as evidenced by his trade of Khalil Mack in the offseason.
- FS Eddie Jackson
Eddie Jackson, who has carved out a nice role for himself in this Bears defense, could also be on the trade block. With three interceptions in six games this season, Jackson has been arguably Chicago’s best defender. In the secondary, Jackson and rookie Jaquan Brisker get along well.
While it would be unfortunate for Jackson to leave during his comeback season, he fits the profile of Poles looking to cut some of those large contracts. Jackson has the second-highest cap hit in 2022, at $15.09 million, but a trade would cost only about $4 million in dead cap. However, given how Jackson has found new life in this Matt Eberflus defense, it’s difficult to imagine him being traded.
- LB Roquan Smith
This offseason, Roquan Smith’s contract negotiations were very public. Smith is in the final year of his rookie contract, and it’s no secret that negotiations deteriorated to the point where Smith requested a trade during the summer. Smith believes he is entitled to more than what he was offered, and both parties agreed to focus on the season and put negotiations on hold.
A contending team would undoubtedly be interested in a top linebacker like Smith. At this point, the Bears are likely to tag him with the franchise tag.
