The Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers already teamed up once this season on a big-time trade. Might they do so again soon?
With newly-acquired ex-Bears first-round pick Justin Fields at quarterback, the Steelers have surged to a 3-0 start. Meanwhile, the Bears' offense has failed to get off the ground under rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, as Chicago has fallen to last place in the NFC North at 1-2.
Both sides need to be realistic about where they are headed in 2024, and that may well mean the Steelers become buyers while the Bears look to sell. If things line up that way, the Steeler likely will look to add depth at a position where the Bears have a surplus.
Dan Graziano of ESPN reported earlier this week that the Steelers, who missed out on star wideout Brandon Aiyuk in a failed trade earlier this offseason, will be looking to add receivers at the trade deadline this season.
"The Steelers were active on the wide receiver market in the offseason -- remember, they had a real chance to land Brandon Aiyuk had the 49ers not been able to extend him -- and I expect them to continue to monitor the receiver trade market as the deadline approaches," Graziano said.
If the Bears and Steelers continue on their current trajectories, another trade between the two sides would make perfect sense. Chicago's six-time Pro Bowl receiver Keenan Allen, an impending free agent, would look perfect in black and gold.
Only 32 years old, Allen still has plenty of tread on his tires if he can stay on the field. He put forth one of his best seasons yet in 2023, racking up 1,243 yards and seven touchdowns in just 13 games. But he's been limited to one game with a heel injury plaguing him in 2024.
With Allen set to hit the market again in the offseason, the Bears would be wise to explore trades for the veteran wideout if they keep up their losing ways. The NFC North looks like the toughest division in football thus far, and the Bears are much more set at receiver than most other positions.
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