Chicago Bears’ potential trade target appears to be off the table, per reports

During most of this preseason, the Chicago Bears have been rumored to trade for a pass rusher.

The defensive line is certainly one of the roster’s weak spots.  Even more so now, after the Bears traded DT Gervon Dexter Sr. in a shocking move, landing another cornerback in Clark Phillips III.

Outside of Montez Sweat, no one else on this defense can get after the QB at a high rate. Grady Jarrett is getting older, Austin Booker is in and out of the injury report, and Dayo Odeyingbo has just 17.5 sacks in 5 NFL seasons.

A move will need to be made at some point during the season, or at least it feels like that’s the case.

Trade rumors have swirled during the early part of this season involving Arizona Cardinals star pass rusher Josh Sweat.

Sweat, 29, is in the second year of a four-year, $76 million contract. Last season, he was well worth his high price tag, as he led the Arizona defense with 12 sacks. A shining spot on an otherwise weak defense.

Talk about a guy who could fit perfectly on this defense. Sweat attacks the QB relentlessly and would be a fine addition, teaming up with another Sweat (no relation).

That being said, is it realistic?

Chicago Bears beat reporter Brad Biggs on potential Josh Sweat trade: I think he stays put

It seems the likelihood of Josh Sweat moving on from Arizona is low, at least during the early part of the season.

The Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs was asked in his mailbag if he sees the Bears making a move for Sweat. His answer won’t be what fans want to hear, and it sounds like he could come with a high price tag.

“From the sound of things, multiple teams have checked in on Sweat over the course of the offseason,” Biggs said, “And the Arizona Cardinals have expressed zero interest in trading the pass rusher.”

He later quoted the Cardinals GM, Monti Ossenfort: “We have no interest in trading Josh. We’re excited to have him. Some of those discussions we’re going to keep private. Excited to have Josh here. Had a great year last year. Excited for more good things out of him this year.”

The Green Bay Packers have been linked to Sweat, which is what brought this conversation up. They’ll be without superstar Micah Parsons to begin the season, and could likely be in the same boat looking for defensive line help.

Another point Biggs brings up is Sweat’s contract. If the Cardinals really wanted to move on from the veteran pass rusher, they would’ve done so earlier in the calendar year to avoid paying his $ 7.2 million bonus.

It’s tough to gauge what these GMs are thinking when the season hasn’t begun. If Arizona comes out and loses their first four or five games (as projected), look for things to change from a trade standpoint.

One thing is certain: the Chicago Bears need to keep looking for EDGE help. Where they get it from is another matter, but for this defense to succeed at getting to the quarterback, a move is likely needed.

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