Chicago Bears (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
After cutting Taylor Gabriel, the Chicago Bears have a hole at receiver they need to fill before the season kicks off & an elite speed-threat just became available…
According to multiple reports, the Los Angeles Rams have made wide receiver, Brandin Cooks available via trade. Why does this concern fans of the Halas hopeful? Well, the Chicago Bears just recently cut veteran speed-threat, Taylor Gabriel. This has left a big hole opposite Allen Robinson and Anthony Miller.
As was evident during his time on the Kansas City Chiefs Coaching Staff, Matt Nagy loves to implement and utilize elite level speed within his offensive system. Last season the Chiefs trotted out the likes of Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins and Mecole Hardman. That is a lethal aerial attack, equipped with players that could change the outlook of the game on just one play.
Now, Cooks has been the subject of a few blockbuster trades in the past… First with him being dealt from the New Orleans Saints to the New England Patriots for a first-round pick and then from Foxborough to the Los Angeles Rams for the same price.
Well, with the Chicago Bears missing a speed element to their offense, it is evident that the Bears could use a player of Cooks’ skillset. In just two seasons under the tutelage of Sean McVay, Cooks has accumulated 122 receptions, 1,787 receiving yards and eight total touchdowns.
In addition, Chicago Bears General Manager, Ryan Pace was the Director of Player Personnel for the Saints the year that Brandin Cooks was drafted 20th overall by New Orleans. So, Pace has to know first hand just how talented Cooks is, right? Couple that with the fact that Cooks has played six professional seasons and is still only 26-years old; the rationale of why the Bears should target him starts to make a bit more sense.
So, what would it take for the Bears to land Cooks? As outlined above, I think Chicago could part ways with veteran left tackle, Charles Leno Jr. and a future second-round draft pick. In return, the Bears would receive Cooks and a fourth-round pick for this coming draft. Why is this important? The Bears would recoup the pick they just sent away to the Jacksonville Jaguars to obtain the services of veteran, Nick Foles.
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Charles Leno Jr. is owed a total of roughly $10.3 million for the coming season, while Cooks is due $16.8 million. The Bears recently restructured Cody Whitehair‘s contract, so the remaining $6.5 million should be able to fit if Chicago can agreed with Allen Robinson on a contract extension.
The Rams recently retained offensive line stalwart, Andrew Whitworth, but would absolutely welcome the addition of Leno Jr. to help solidify a porous offensive front that left Jared Goff in shambles last season.
While many might not like the Bears giving up a second-round draft pick, I welcome the notion as it shows that both Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy are all in on this being a win-now season for the Bears. Do the Bears dare push all of their chips into the middle of the table? We shall see…
