Bears Eye Bold Trade with Bills for $13.9M Defensive Star in Game-Changing Move
The Chicago Bears are well-stocked in their secondary as they head into the 2024 season, but general manager Ryan Poles is always on the lookout for ways to enhance the team. This could lead him to consider acquiring a former Buffalo Bills first-round pick who is rumored to be on the trade block.
In the offseason, the Bears Eye Bold Trade with significant steps to bolster their secondary. They extended All-Pro cornerback Jaylon Johnson with a four-year, $76 million deal, added playmaker Kevin Byard III as their new free safety, and brought in veteran Jonathan Owens for depth. This revamped unit also benefits from the infusion of youth through recent second-round picks Jaquan Brisker, Kyler Gordon, and Tyrique Stevenson.
However, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox suggests the Bears might have a chance to further upgrade their secondary by pursuing 2022 first-round cornerback Kaiir Elam from the Bills. Elam, a third-year player, has struggled to find a steady role in Buffalo’s defense. A new environment that could leverage his length, speed, and physicality might be just what he needs to reach his potential and shake off the “bust” label.
Knox believes the Bears would be a fitting team to offer Elam a fresh start. Notably, defensive coordinator Eric Washington was a senior defensive assistant with the Bills during Elam’s draft year, adding a layer of familiarity that could make the Bears an attractive destination for the young cornerback.
Kaiir Elam Approaching 1st-Round Bust Territory
Kaiir Elam still has two years remaining on his four-year, $13.6 million rookie contract with the Buffalo Bills, but the team might consider moving him before the NFL trade deadline in November. This decision could hinge on whether he starts the 2024 season slowly or if other cornerbacks continue to impress.
Elam, who was selected 23rd overall in the 2022 draft after the Bills traded up two spots, has yet to meet the expectations set for a first-round pick. The Bills hoped Elam would provide a boost to their defense, particularly as they awaited the return of All-Pro cornerback Tre’Davious White from a torn ACL.
In his rookie season, Elam showed promise, starting six of the first eight games and recording 34 tackles, three pass deflections, and two interceptions. However, an ankle injury limited his play to just 21 defensive snaps over the following five games, and he struggled to regain his previous form after his return in Week 15.
The 2023 season saw Elam’s performance decline significantly. He managed only 14 tackles in three games, with two starts, and missed the remaining 14 games due to a mix of injuries and being a healthy scratch. By the end of the season, his future with the Bills appeared uncertain, fueling trade speculation.
On a positive note, Elam showed improvement during the 2024 offseason and was one of the Bills’ standout performers in training camp. Despite this, the team might not exhibit much patience if he underperforms at the start of the new season, potentially leading to a trade if he falls back into bust territory.
How Low Would Bears Need Trade Price to Be?
It’s understandable to question why the Bears would consider trading for a former first-round cornerback who has struggled to secure a spot with his original team. With solid depth at the position, including three established starters and 2023 fifth-round pick Terell Smith, the Bears’ interest in a reclamation project typically would be more compelling if there were a clear positional need.
What might intrigue the Bears Eye Bold Trade Kaiir Elam, however, is his potentially attractive price tag. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that the Bills had trade interest in Elam ahead of the 2023 trade deadline. Although they chose not to move him at that time, they might be more amenable to trading him if he continues to languish on the bench during the first half of the 2024 season. In such a case, the Bills would have diminished leverage to demand a high return.
Buffalo would likely receive better compensation than the Bears did when they traded wide receiver Chase Claypool to the Miami Dolphins last season. In that deal, the Bears gave up Claypool and a seventh-round pick in exchange for a sixth-round pick. A similar pick-swap deal could be feasible if Elam’s performance does not improve.
Under this scenario, the Bears might offer a 2024 fifth-round pick to acquire Elam and a sixth-round pick from the Bills. While this would be a modest return for Buffalo given their top-25 investment in Elam two years ago, it might be preferable to waiting and risking further decline in his value.
Ultimately, the Bears would need to be confident in their ability to rehabilitate Elam’s career and convert him into a reliable NFL cornerback. If defensive coordinator Eric Washington sees potential in Elam, the trade could be a strategic move worth considering, especially if the cost remains relatively low.
Leave a Reply