The Chicago Bears prioritized another quarterback over Deshaun Watson in the 2017 NFL Draft. Four years later, it seems the organization is eyeing Russell Wilson over Watson on the trade market.
Entering the 2021 NFL offseason, general manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy are desperate for an upgrade at quarterback. The team’s bet on Mitchell Trubisky backfired and now both men will head into next season firmly on the hot seat.
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Fortunately for Chicago, the quarterback carousel is busier than ever. Matthew Stafford, Carson Wentz and Jared Goff have all been traded. Meanwhile, Sam Darnold could be moved before or during the 2021 NFL Draft and there are intriguing free-agent passers available. For now, though, the Bears are swinging for the fences.
Chicago Bears rumors: Team prioritizing Russell Wilson trade over Deshaun Watson
The Bears would be elated to land either of the MVP-caliber quarterbacks floated in trade rumors this offseason. Putting Wilson or Watson on this team, with one of the NFL’s best defenses, would vault Chicago into Super Bowl contention. With so much at stake, it seems Nagy and Pacy have a preferred target in mind for a trade.
According to the Chicago Tribune‘s Brad Biggs, many believe the Chicago Bears are prioritizing Wilson as a trade target this offseason. One of the biggest reasons, he wants to play for the Bears and Seattle might be more willing to move him than Houston is Watson.
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It makes sense why Wilson would be the team’s priority. As badly as Watson wants out of Houston, the Texans refuse to listen whenever rival clubs call them to start a dialogue. With the 25-year-old willing to sit out the 2021 season and Houston prepared to allow it, a blockbuster trade seems unlikely this year and calling the Texans is just wasted time at this point.
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The situation is a bit different in Seattle. Wilson provided the front office with a list of teams he would accept a trade to and the Bears are squarely on it. After expressing frustration publicly over the number of hits he has taken and privately calling out the amount of power head coach Pete Carroll has, the drama is intensifying. Seattle isn’t happy with how vocal Wilson has become and is at least listening to offers for him.
Not only that, Wilson would be slightly cheaper to acquire than Watson. Since Chicago’s first pick in the 2021 NFL Draft isn’t until 20th overall. it’s harder for them to compete with the likes of the New York Jets, Carolina Panthers and Miami Dolphins.
With that said, a blockbuster trade is unlikely. Neither Wilson nor the Seahawks expect him to play anywhere else in 2021 and the financial ramifications of dealing him make a move extremely doubtful. So, if the Bears give up on Wilson and Watson, they will need to turn their attention to lesser options.
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Darnold will likely cost a second-round pick, a cost they might not be comfortable with given his shaky play in three NFL seasons. That likely leaves free agency, with a few options that don’t exactly inspire confidence.