Chicago Bears could be a fit for 2023 Defensive Player of the Year

The Chicago Bears will work endlessly this offseason to bring in edge rushing talent to bolster the team’s ability to get to the quarterback early and often in 2025.

New defensive coordinator Dennis Allen made it known that his scheme from his time with the Saints will be brought to the Windy City. Allen’s mindset is all about applying pressure and disrupting the quarterback.

Montez Sweat has been essentially all alone in his pass rushing efforts on the Bears defensive line since he was acquired from the Commanders during the 2023 season. He was held to just 5.5 sacks in a 2024 campaign where he was dealing with an ankle injury for most of the year.

Sweat drawing constant double teams from the jump throughout his tenure as a Bear has limited him from putting up the numbers that the front office brought him in to produce. Once he gets a proper running mate on the opposite side of him, things should change. Despite all of the free agency and draft talks to patch up the position, Chicago might want to pay attention to a big name that just requested a trade.

Myles Garrett would be the best player on the Chicago Bears

Reports came out Monday morning that Myles Garrett has officially requested a trade from the Cleveland Browns. Garrett was the number one overall pick in the 2017 draft and has had quite the career thus far. The 29-year-old is a six-time Pro Bowler, four-time AP All-Pro and was the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year.

Garrett played in all 17 games for Cleveland this past season and finished the year with 14 sacks. The former Texas A&M Aggie has had 10 or more sacks in every year of his career, with the exception of his rookie season, where he only played in 11 games. Garrett has recorded 102.5 sacks in his career and is a scary sight for any offensive lineman who stands in his way.

A trade for Garrett on Chicago’s end would signify the biggest acquisition the team will have made since picking up Khalil Mack ahead of the 2018 season. Garrett would be a much bigger splash if Ryan Poles can net him, but his impact would mirror what Mack brought to the table in terms of bringing dominance to a defensive line that lacked it in a big way.

The Chicago Bears timeline could fit Myles Garrett’s desires

The Bears look like they are ready to roll under new head coach Ben Johnson. Going all in on a guy like Garrett would prove that the franchise is looking to become a serious contender right away in this new era. Chicago could have the upper hand in negotiations with Cleveland if things got to that point. With the star requesting to be dealt, the Browns front office might not have much leverage in trade talks.

The Bears hold two second-round picks in this year’s draft as things stand right now. If not both, at least one would need to head to Cleveland in exchange for Garrett.

With Chicago’s cap space and draft capital, their ability to make a proposal for Garrett is very realistic. It will all come down to how much is Poles willing to give to take on the star’s massive contract.