Shocking Trade Ideas Bears Should Pursue Before 2024 Season

The Chicago Bears have already made plenty of moves to transform the roster ahead of the 2024 season.

The Bears 7-10 mark was their best record since 2020. The trade for Keenan Allen along with drafting Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze are going to drive expectations for 2024 even higher.

After watching the Houston Texans emerge as a legitimate threat in the AFC, fans and management will have their sights set on making the postseason and making noise.

The Bears still have some time to bolster the roster and enhance their chances of putting together that kind of season. Even with all of the moves they've made there's a weakness or two that could be addressed as they attempt to climb the NFC ladder.

Here are three trade ideas that could make sense for the Bears moving forward.

Bring in Jonathan Allen to Complete the Defensive Line

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Jonathan Allen

As the saying (kind of) goes, with great roster additions comes great responsibility. Matt Eberflus's squad won four more games in his second season, going from 3-14 to 7-10, but taking the next step could be critical to his job security.

He deserves recognition for the improvement in record last season, but he's still 10-24 in his first two seasons.

That means doing everything they can to continue building up the roster and getting it ready to compete as soon as possible. For Eberflus, that could mean finally getting the kind of impact defensive tackle he likes to have.

The former defensive coordinator has noted the importance of having a 3-technique who is a difference-maker in the past. Jonathan Allen is certainly qualified to play that role. According to Sports Info Solutions, he has posted 80 total pressures over the last two seasons to go with 13 sacks.

His pass-rushing prowess would pair nicely with former teammate Montez Sweat who was traded to Chicago before the deadline last season. The Bears will be counting on Gervon Dexter St. to take a leap in 2024, but bringing in a veteran with Allen's resume would take some of that pressure off his plate.

It wouldn't be a cheap move, but it would be an effective one that could pay big dividends.

Buy Low on a Former First-Round Pick

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Payton Turner

It would be completely understandable if you had forgotten that Payton Turner was a first-round pick back in the 2021 draft. He has only appeared in 15 games since the Saints used the 28th overall pick on him.

Injuries have been a major contributor to the slow start to his NFL career. He had a rotational role as a rookie before a shoulder injury ended his season. He missed all but two games last season with a turf toe injury.

While some would be quick to call Turner a bust and move on, he has shown just enough potential to believe that his first-round pedigree still carries some wait. He looked better in 2022 than he did as a rookie and even generated a pair of pressures in his two games in 2023.

It's not saying much, but the Bears can't really get too choosy with the room they have right now. Montez Sweat led the team in sacks last season with six and he only played in nine games for them.

It might be a little shocking that any team other than the Saints remember what made him a first-round pick. But, assuming the cost is low, he could be the type of high-upside player the Bears need in the room right now.

Offer a Payday for Cam Heyward

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Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward

Cam Heyward is sitting out the first set of OTAs with the Pittsburgh Steelers this year. Most of the time it's not notable when a 35-year-old veteran doesn't show up to these spring practices.

Except Heyward has been there every year going back to 2011 when the Steelers drafted him. The veteran has noted that his absence is due to contract negotiations as he looks to cash in one more time before retirement becomes inevitable.

It would be shocking to see the Steelers trade away a player who has been so loyal to them, but the Bears are sitting on $22.8 million in cap space and have significant momentum heading into the 2024 season.

The Bears have answers at nearly every level on both sides of the ball. They have the most improved receiver corps, a new running back and improvements along the offensive line to go with their rookie quarterback. The secondary and linebacker group have good young players.

If the Bears defensive line can rise to the challenge, the Bears could be one of the most improved teams in the league.

Right now, that's a big if. Adding a veteran like Heyward would elevate the odds that they aren't the team's Achilles heel. If Heyward's holdout continues, the Bears should be calling Pittsbugh.