3 Roquan Smith replacements for the Chicago Bears in 2023

The Chicago Bears could trade for Shaq Thompson to replace Roquan Smith

First up, the Bears could look at some teams who might be trying to reload and acquire draft capital amidst a rebuild — similar to Chicago, themselves. One of those teams is the Carolina Panthers, who were already active during the trade season this year, unloading Christian McCaffrey and Robbie Anderson.

Next year is the last year of Shaq Thompson’s contract, and his cap number is a whopping $24 million. The Panthers very well could look to unload that deal or cut him while saving over $12 million in the process.

Thompson would be a phenomenal option to replace Smith, and if the Bears could get him for a decent draft pick, he’d be able to offer them a few years in Chicago, still. Assuming the Bears would work to extend Thompson and lower his cap number in 2023, this would make a lot of sense.

Rather than paying Roquan Smith over $20 million per season, extending Thompson, who will be 29 next season, makes sense. Thompson is as steady as they come at the position and, at his age, would love one more long-term contract. If Poles could make this deal work, and then extend Thompson for an average of $12-$14 million per season, this type of move makes a lot of sense.

Thompson has accumulated three-straight seasons with over 100 tackles, and is well on his way to a fourth.