Chicago Bears Can Continue Strong 2020 by Adding a Reliable $8 Million Veteran
The Chicago Bears are one of the most surprising 5-1 teams in recent NFL history.
Chicago has been a “jack of all trades, master of none” team this season. The Bears benched quarterback Mitchell Trubisky for Nick Foles in Week 3 and haven’t dominated, yet they’re among the league’s top teams.
With the trade deadline inching closer, the Chicago Bears can help their Super Bowl hopes by acquiring an $8 million veteran who is reliable and ready to win a ring of his own.
The Chicago Bears are having a strong 2020 season
When the dust settled on Week 6, the Chicago Bears topped the NFC North Division.
Chicago is winning despite having an offense that ranks 27th in points scored and 28th in yards recorded. Nick Foles has completed 62.5% of his passes for 878 yards, six touchdowns, and four interceptions in four games, the last three of which he started.
Allen Robinson has impressed with 40 catches, 474 yards, and two touchdowns, but the rest of the passing game has been mediocre at best. Veteran tight end Jimmy Graham at least has four touchdowns so far. On defense,
Khalil Mack has a team-high 4.5 sacks, and veteran defensive tackle Akiem Hicks has 3.5 of his own.
All in all, the Bears have played better than people thought, but not well enough to where one would think they’d have won five of their first six games.
Alex Mack is a veteran center playing in Atlanta
The Atlanta Falcons are the inverse of the Chicago Bears, and it’s not because one team is 5-1 and the other is 1-5.
Atlanta is set to miss the postseason for a second straight year, a disappointment given the duo of quarterback Matt Ryan and receiver Julio Jones.
If Atlanta opens up for trades before the November 3 trade deadline, look for center Alex Mack to possibly be on the move.
Mack, 34, is a free agent next spring. The six-time Pro Bowl center, who joined Atlanta in 2016 after seven seasons with the Cleveland Browns, is making $8 million this season.
Should the Chicago Bears trade for Alex Mack?
The Chicago Bears’ offensive issues could deeply hurt the team as the season goes on, especially in the same division as Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers.
Enter Mack, who would bring experience and added blocking to an offensive line tasked with keeping Nick Foles on his feet. Chicago is only averaging 90 rushing yards per game, the fifth-lowest total in the league through Week 6.
Whether or not the Bears need more running back depth, especially after losing Tarik Cohen earlier this year, is another conversation. But bringing Mack into the mix and sliding center Cody Whitehair to a guard spot could pay major dividends.
Mack’s age, coupled with his expiring contract, could make him available at a reduced price. Chicago likely won’t be giving up a first-round pick for a center who turns 35 on November 19.
Chicago isn’t in the true ‘win-now’ state that teams like Green Bay or New Orleans are in the NFC. But if acquiring Mack is what could put Chicago over the edge, the Bears should consider trading a draft pick or two to Atlanta.
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