Chicago Bears Could Pursue Trade For RB Austin Ekeler?

Austin Ekeler, Bears
NFL Analysis Network

The Chicago Bears offense is going to look much different in 2023 than it did in 2022. Not only is the team hoping that quarterback Justin Fields takes that next step in his development, but the team has upgraded the supporting cast around him.

The process started ahead of the 2022 NFL Trade Deadline when Chase Claypool was acquired from the Pittsburgh Steelers. It was continued before the onset of free agency when Chicago agreed to trade the No. 1 overall pick to the Carolina Panthers in exchange for four draft picks and wide receiver D.J. Moore.

Moore, Claypool and Darnell Mooney are a massive upgrade over what the Bears went into the 2022 season with. Don’t forget about tight end Cole Kmet as well. But, for the passing game to find success, Fields needs a good offensive line in front of him.

The Bears’ offensive line was underwhelming in 2022, as Fields was sacked an NFL-high 55 times despite playing in only 15 games. Looking to address that, they went out and signed free agent Nate Davis to upgrade the interior of their line.

General manager Ryan Poles has done a wonderful job thus far improving the roster but the job is not done. The backfield could use some help as David Montgomery signed a three-year, $18 million deal with the Detroit Lions.

Chicago will have Khalil Herbert and Trestan Ebner back, but shouldn’t be afraid to make a major addition to the backfield. Could that major addition be acquiring Austin Ekeler of the Los Angeles Chargers? The Chargers granted Ekeler permission to seek a trade and the Bears were brought up as a potential landing spot.

Depending on the price it would take to acquire him, in terms of draft compensation, this is a deal the Bears should think long and hard about. Montgomery’s loss is a big one in terms of their passing offense as he was a great pass blocker and receiver out of the backfield. Those are two areas in which Ekeler excels as well.

Given how much cap space the Chargers have, money isn’t an issue for them this season. Rebuilding teams don’t usually want to part ways with draft picks, but after the haul that the Bears received from the Panthers, even if the price is a Day 2 pick, they can stomach that.

Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus has to do everything in their power to put Fields in a position to succeed to see if he can be their long-term answer at the quarterback position. Adding Ekeler to this offense would certainly elevate the team to new heights and help answer that question.

If he is unable to succeed in 2023, the team has enough draft capital from the trade with Carolina to put themselves in a position to select one of the top signal callers in the 2024 NFL Draft.

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