One of the main offseason goals for Chicago Bears’ general manager Ryan Poles was to upgrade the supporting cast around quarterback Justin Fields. So far, Poles is off to a good start.
Poles dealt the first overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft to the Carolina Panthers, receiving star wideout D.J. Moore as part of the return. Poles also signed former Panthers’ RB D’Onta Foreman (914 rushing yards last season) and ex-Green Bay Packers’ tight end Robert Tonyan in free agency.
Perhaps more blockbuster moves on the offensive side of the ball lie ahead for Poles between now and the 2023 NFL draft (Apr. 27-29 in Kansas City). Bleacher Report’s Jake Rill proposed one big move in which the Bears acquire Los Angeles Chargers’ running back Austin Ekeler in exchange for the No. 53 and No. 148 selections:
“Ekeler rushed for 915 yards, recorded 107 catches for 722 yards and scored 18 total touchdowns in 17 games last season. He’s among the top running backs in the NFL when he’s at his best, which he often was during the 2022 campaign.
Even if Chicago has to part with substantial draft capital, it should try to trade for Ekeler if he’s available, then try to sign him to a long-term deal. The Bears already lost David Montgomery to the Detroit Lions this offseason and are heading into the 2023 campaign with D’Onta Foreman and Khalil Herbert in their backfield.”
Last month, the Chargers gave Ekeler permission to seek a trade after the two sides failed to reach an agreement on a contract extension. Ekeler is entering the final season of a four-year, $24.5 million extension he signed back in 2020.
As Rill noted, the Bears already saw top RB David Montgomery join the Detroit Lions. But Foreman nearly rushed for 1,000 yards in Carolina last year, and Herbert had 731 rushing yards despite missing four games.
Both Foreman and Herbert have 1,000-yard rushing potential, so the Bears don’t necessarily need a player like Ekeler. But his consistent production, especially as a pass-catcher, would make Ekeler an enticing fit in that offense. And a young QB like Fields can never have too many quality playmakers around him.
