If you haven't noticed, Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace has been cleaning house ever since being hired this offseason. In that time, he's jettisoned three big contracts in the trading of Jared Allen and Brandon Marshall and the release of Tim Jennings (the Bears also traded Jon Bostic today). At 0-3, the Bears have little chance of making the playoffs this season though head coach John Fox gives them a steadying hand moving forward.
As it stands now, the Bears are in full-blown rebuilding mode. In advance of the NFL's Nov. 3 trade deadline, ESPN Bears reporter Jeff Dickerson believes the team should entertain offers for running back Matt Forte and wide receiver Alshon Jeffery.
"Forte, 29, became expendable the moment in January when general manager Ryan Pace rebuffed his request for a new contract," Dickerson wrote. "A two-time Pro Bowl selection, Forte is an effective, all-purpose back who can carry the load on offense. Forte would be a welcome addition to any contender that suffers an injury at running back prior to the deadline."
Despite his pass-catching prowess, Forte's looming 30th birthday has to be in the back of Pace's mind, which is why a trade is at least feasible. But that line of thinking doesn't extend to the 25-year-old Jeffery.
"Why listen to trade offers for him? Because there's no guarantee Jeffery wants to re-sign with the Bears in the offseason," Dickerson continued. "He probably wants to test the market. Imagine Jeffery and Brandon Marshall reuniting in New York. You never know. Besides, Jeffery probably isn't a guy to slap with the franchise tag just to keep him around for another year."
The Bears invested the No. 7 overall pick into wide receiver Kevin White this year. Although he may not see the field this year following surgery to repair a stress fracture in his leg, he does project as Chicago's eventual No. 1 wide receiver and a possible Jeffery replacement.
None of this means that Chicago is actively shopping these two. But Dickerson believes Pace should at least send out his feelers to gauge their value on the trade market given Chicago's poor standing.
