Chicago Bears football is mere hours away, and there's more excitement in the air than in any year in recent memory.
Though the Bears have had solid teams this century, they've never had what every fan base craves: a true franchise quarterback. They may have finally landed one in first-overall pick Caleb Williams, and optimism is at an all-time high.
Expectations aren't necessarily lofty for the Bears to contend in 2024, though they did win seven games last season, far more than most teams who draft number one typically have. But with incremental improvements on both sides of the ball, Chicago could well be playoff-bound.
If the Bears sense their window is opening sooner than anticipated, they could look to make an early-season splash in the trade market. One football writer thinks they have an opportunity to do so by partnering with the Buffalo Bills.
On Wednesday, Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox named the Bears as one of two possible destinations for Bills cornerback Kaiir Elam, who has struggled to establish himself as a full-time starter since the Bills drafted him in the first round of the 2022 draft.
"The Bears are hoping to contend with rookie QB Caleb Williams sooner than later," Knox said. "While their defensive needs aren't as great, it's worth noting that defensive coordinator Eric Washington was a senior defensive assistant in Buffalo the year Elam was drafted."
Elam, 23, has played in just 16 games as a Bill, including just three last year. He began the year injured, struggled upon his return, and eventually landed on the injured reserve, though he was back in time for the postseason.
With two interceptions and four passes defended in his National Football League career, the former Florida Gator hasn't lived up to expectations thus far. But perhaps a change of scenery could be all he needs to get his career on track.
If the Bears think they can unlock the potential the Bills once saw in Elam, it's entirely worth a gamble in a trade, especially if he can be had for cheap. Cornerback depth wears thin quickly in the NFL and the Bears could build a truly dominant secondary if Elam shows improvement.
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