3 reasons the Chicago Bears should not trade Mack or Quinn this offseason

Ryan Poles can always trade back to get more picks.

The Chicago Bears’ first draft pick is pick 39 in the second round. That is a prime second-round pick to trade back and get more picks. That is the area of the draft where teams can find players with first-round grades that did not go in the opening round. Teams are tempted to move up to get a player with that first-round grade they covet.

Ironically, the Chicago Bears moved up in last year’s draft to acquire pick 39 and select tackle Teven Jenkins.

In that trade, the Bears gave the Carolina Panthers their second, third, and sixth-round picks. The Bears did get a fifth-round pick back from the Panthers.

That was Ryan Pace running the draft and he was known for giving up draft capital. Ryan Poles can be known for the general manager who prefers to trade down and acquire more picks.

This is a deep draft at wide receiver and offensive lineman. The Bears can still trade back in the second round and still get a good player to bolster the roster.

Poles could probably trade down in the other rounds the Bears have picks in and still come away with quality players.

If the Bears are out of the playoff race by next season’s trade deadline, trade them at that time.

The Chicago Bears are probably not going to get two first-round picks for Khalil Mack. That was the price the Bears paid the Oakland Raiders in 2018.

Mack was still in his 20’s and in the prime of his career. He is now 31 and coming off a season-ending injury. Mack is still a force on defense but not worth two first-round picks.

If you are hoping the Bears could get the same haul the Broncos got for Von Miller, remember Miller was traded during the season to the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams were going all-in to make the Super Bowl so they were willing to pay the steep price to get a piece they felt would put them over the top.

That is why, if the Chicago Bears are out of playoff contention by the in-season trade deadline next season, it would be better to trade Mack and Quinn then.

Plus, if the Bears trade Mack before the draft, his cap hit is $27 million with $3 million in cap savings. If he is traded after June 1st, his dead cap hit is around $12 million but the Bears get $17 million in salary cap relief.

The Bears would also have the same cap situation with Robert Quinn. They would have a high dead cap number with minimal salary cap space created if he is traded before the draft. If the Bears wait until after June 1st, they get a small dead cap number and greater salary cap relief.

It is a gamble to hold onto both and then move them in-season. Mack and Quinn would have to stay healthy and productive. If the gamble pays off, the Bears could yield a better return.