The Chicago Bears have high hopes for their 2024 season, but success is far from guaranteed.
With rookie quarterback Caleb Williams under center, fellow first-year star Rome Odunze at receiver, and a talented all-around supporting cast, the Bears could have a high-powered offense in 2024. The defense, though, is more of a question mark.
Though the Bears acquired former Washington Commanders star Montez Sweat in a midseason trade last year, the front seven is far from a finished product. With just 30 sacks in 2023, the Bears pass rush ranked 31st of the 32 teams in the National Football League.
If the Bears want to make a serious push for the postseason in 2024, a trade could be the recipe for success. And one football writer believes they could be in line for a blockbuster.
In a trade proposed by Jordan J. Wilson of heavy.com, the Bears would acquire three-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Trey Hendrickson from the Cincinnati Bengals, in exchange for their 2025 second-round pick via the Carolina Panthers.
"(Hendrickson) said he and his agent approached the team about either a trade or a contract extension and the front office’s response was 'pretty firm,'" Wilson said. "If the sense is the Bengals won’t budge on their stance, the Bears could have a golden opportunity to trade for a premier defensive talent."
Hendrickson, 29, has risen to prominence since arriving in Cincinnati in 2021. He has made each of the last three Pro Bowls, while totaling 39.5 sacks, 76 quarterback hits, and nine forced fumbles as a Bengal.
After signing an extension in 2023, Hendrickson is under contract for the next two seasons. He is set to make $20.2 million in 2024, then $18.7 million in 2025 before becoming an unrestricted free agent.
From a talent perspective, Hendrickson just might be the missing piece the Bears defense needs to spark a playoff run. But the two sides would need to agree on the right price for Chicago to add the Cincinnati star to its pass rush.
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