Cleveland Browns star pass rusher Myles Garrett has requested a trade. The news will surely raise the eyebrows of Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles, with pass rusher being a huge need on defense. Is it time for the Bears to go all-in as they did for Khalil Mack back in 2018? Or have they matured and realized this isn’t the best course of avenue?
The Case for (and Against) the Bears Trading for Myles Garrett
Pros of a Myles Garrett Trade
There’s a strong argument that Myles Garrett is the most dominant pass rusher of the decade. Since entering the NFL, he has been selected to six Pro Bowls, earned four First-Team All-Pro honors, and was named the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year. His career numbers—352 total tackles, 102.5 sacks, and 20 forced fumbles—are Hall of Fame-worthy.
Every team in the league would love to have a player of Garrett’s caliber. The former No. 1 overall pick may not have found sustained success in Cleveland, but there’s no doubt he has the ability to transform a defense.
Myles Garrett has requested a trade
Since 2022:
– 95.1 PFF grade (1st)
– 44.0 sacks (1st)
– 24.4% pass rush win rate (1st) pic.twitter.com/WVvbanHD6X— PFF (@PFF) February 3, 2025
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Cons of a Myles Garrett Trade
On the older side at 29, it’s hard to evaluate the long-term future if the Bears decide to trade for Myles Garrett. NFL Insider Diana Russini mentioned one NFL GM had this to say about what a trade for Garrett could look like:
“Probably a 1+. Can’t wait for the ‘It will be 3 1s’ crowd. Not happening. 1 and a 2. 1 and 2 3s. Throw a player in there.”
It’s hard to predict an accurate trade package for the Browns superstar. He’s still in the prime of his career, but factoring in his age, salary, and draft capital, it may be too much for the Bears.
One thing is certain. Garrett wouldn’t come cheap. ESPN NFL Draft Analyst Matt Miller suggested that the Bears should offer picks No. 10, 39, and 41 in exchange for him. However, for a team focused on building around Caleb Williams, that’s a steep price. While adding another elite pass rusher opposite Montez Sweat would be beneficial, the Bears’ priority should be reinforcing the offensive line rather than sacrificing valuable draft capital for a veteran edge rusher.
Last Word on Myles Garrett
For the Bears, this comes down to whether the price is right. Trading significant draft assets for Garrett could hinder their ability to build a balanced, competitive roster for the long term.
The question is simple: Is it more crucial to pressure the quarterback, or to protect the one who was sacked 68 times in his rookie season? The Bears learned a tough lesson after trading for Khalil Mack in 2018—while the move brought excitement, the lack of draft capital and salary cap flexibility prevented the Bears from fixing offensive issues.
Ryan Poles already traded a second-round pick for Montez Sweat who signed a massive extension shortly after, so it’s best the Bears stay out of this one.
Main Image: Charles LeClaire – USA Today Sports
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