The Chicago Bears are desperate to change the course of their franchise, and it starts with getting an elite level quarterback.
That change could come in the form of trading for Russell Wilson, who reportedly listed the franchise as one of four destinations he would like to be traded to if he were to demand to be gone.
CBS Sports is suggesting that the franchise involve All-Pro pass rusher Khalil Mack in a potential trade to nab Russell Wilson.
“Bears fans may scoff, but if parting ways with Mack meant bringing Russell Wilson to the Windy City, do you really think Pace (and most of Chicago) wouldn’t pull the trigger? Freshly 30, the ferocious edge rusher could still have a half-decade of Pro Bowl production in the tank, but that’s also why he’d bring so much value to a trade. Seattle would assuredly embrace a talent of his caliber for a transitioning defense, while Chicago would save more than $75 million from 2022-2024 by unloading his mega-contract.”
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk also suggested moving the big man:
“Given that the Seahawks likely need to wait until after June 1 for a Wilson trade in order to convert a $39 million cap charge into $13 million this year and $26 million next year, the Bears would benefit from that,” Pro Football Talk’s Florio noted, before breaking down why time could be a factor for both teams here:
“A post-June 1 trade of Mack would limit the 2021 cap charge to $9.4 million,” he continued. “The Bears also would have to absorb Wilson’s base salary of $19 million. That obligation would mostly be balanced, however, by avoiding Mack’s $17 million salary. The Bears would still have to do some heavy lifting to make it work from a cap standpoint, looking for veterans whose contracts could be dramatically restructured or flat-out jettisoned.”
Mack still has four years, $102.5 million ($16.7 million guaranteed) left on his contract.
