Chicago Bears: Should they go after Sheldon Richardson?

Reports out of New York indicate that the Jets may make defensive end Sheldon Richardson available through trade. Would the Chicago Bears be interested enough to make a move on him rather than go with an untested rookie?

The Chicago Bears have some holes to fill. They have questions at quarterback, secondary, and wide receiver. They also have a need at defensive end.

The Bears have two pretty good defensive linemen in Eddie Goldman and Akiem Hicks. Hicks was the Bears’ defensive player of the year for the Bears this past season after signing as a free agent.

Those two players need another guy who can take some pressure off them, however. The Bears’ line went through moments when they could not get enough pressure on opposing quarterbacks. In a division filled with good quarterbacks, there needs to be more pressure to make them throw before they want. They ranked dead last in turnovers caused in 2016. Causing more turnovers helps the offense work with a shorter field, thus increasing the chances of scoring.

Also, the Bears’ rushing defense was horrible. They ranked 27th in the NFL in rushing yards allowed, and 25th in rushing touchdowns allowed. That needs to change.

Now comes word (through Rich Cimini of ESPN) that the New York Jets may make Sheldon Richardson available this offseason. They almost traded him to the Dallas Cowboys before the trade deadline this season. They wanted a first-round pick for him, but the Cowboys balked at that.

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Richardson, the 2013 Defensive Rookie of the Year award winner, had an off-year in 2016. He managed just 1.5 sacks. He’s also gotten into trouble, having two suspensions in his career.

Richardson definitely needs a change of scenery. Despite the red flag on his off-the-field transgressions, he is still a talented player. He still plays with a high motor.

The Bears may consider drafting defensive lineman Jonathan Allen with their third overall pick. Allen is also immensely talented, but he has two shoulder surgeries, and rumors persist about a third one as well. Coach John Fox covets having a disruptive force along the line. Richardson has 142 tackles and 18 sacks in 58 games.

The thinking around the league is that now the Jets can’t get anything higher than a third-round pick for Richardson. They have a surplus of good defensive linemen so they don’t need to keep him. He may be the Jets’ version of Brandon Marshall and the Bears. Perhaps the Bears could pick up another draft pick in return. Trade away the third-round pick and get a fourth or fifth-round pick in addition to Richardson.

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With a well-respected coach like Vic Fangio guiding him, and a strong presence like Pernell McPhee, Richardson could adjust well in Chicago. In the NFL, redemption is the name of the game. If he can help the Chicago Bears get back to being the Monsters of the Midway, he could be a valuable pickup.

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