The Chicago Bears and Carolina Panthers will have their fates connected for years after the trade that gave the Bears quarterback Caleb Williams and DJ Moore, Tyrique Stevenson, Darnell Wright, Tory Taylor, and a 2025 second-rounder in exchange for the rights to draft Bryce Young.
Coincidentally, the two teams will face off on Sunday at Soldier Field, with the Bears looking to extend their home winning streak to eight consecutive games.
The time may be right for the Bears and Panthers to make another deal. With Carolina (1-3) seemingly headed toward another dismal season, and the Bears needing help with their pass rush, Bears writer Mike Pendleton believes it is.
Pendleton thinks the Bears should target veteran defensive lineman Jadaveon Clowney. “Without stunting the growth of the younger players behind him,” Pendleton said, “(Clowney) is one player from the Panthers roster who would be a positive addition to the locker room and the defensive unit.”
Clowney, taken as the No.1 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans, is six years removed from his last Pro Bowl appearance, and on his sixth team, though he is coming off one of his best seasons as a pro.
In 2023 with the Baltimore Ravens, Clowney played in all 17 games with 15 starts. He tied his career-high with 9.5 sacks and forced a pair of fumbles. That production led the Panthers to sign Clowney to a two-year, $20 million contract during the offseason.
“Clowney’s experience of getting to the quarterback is one that is still a coveted need for the Bears’ defense,” Pendleton said. The Bears rank 17th in the NFL with 10 sacks in four games.
Used a situational pass rusher, Clowney could provide value for Chicago. In the locker room, he could help speed the maturation process of players like DeMarcus Walker, Austin Booker, and Darrell Taylor, to support star defensive end Montez Sweat.
Pendleton says, “Clowney doesn't present an immediate upgrade to the 2024 Bears roster, but experience and veteran leadership is always welcomed, especially to a position group looking to significantly improve.”
According to spotrac, the Bears have slightly more than $7.2 million in available cap space, meaning a player or two would have to go to Carolina in any deal.
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