Just before the weekend, the Chicago Bears completed a trade, acquiring Darrell Taylor from the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a sixth-round pick in next year’s draft.
The Bears had initially targeted Matthew Judon from the Patriots but were unsuccessful. As a result, Taylor has become their backup plan. While Taylor may not match Judon’s level, he still represents a solid addition for the Bears as they enter what could be an exciting period of competitiveness.
It would have been great to add Judon to the defense, but trading for Taylor demonstrates that Ryan Poles is adept at building a competitive roster for what promises to be a challenging NFC North in the coming years.
Unlike the Falcons, who had to give up a third-round pick for Judon, the Bears only had to part with a lower draft pick. Although Taylor might not be as high-profile as Judon, he will provide valuable depth to a defense that needs it.
Drafted in the second round in 2020 out of Tennessee, Taylor had a productive 2023 season with the Seahawks, recording 5.5 sacks and eight QB hits. Over three years, he’s accumulated 21.5 sacks and 22 tackles for loss.
While Taylor may not be a star name, he addresses a key need for the Bears and came at a minimal cost. I’d give this trade a B+ grade since the Bears didn’t surrender much and appear to have gained a useful asset. Hopefully, Taylor can elevate that grade to an A in the future.
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