Should The Bears Do This Hypothetical Trade For Myles Garrett?

So we talked about this hypothetical on the podcast yesterday. It was originally talked about in the Athletic yesterday

Let’s say the Bears acquire DE Myles Garrett, sending the Browns two first-round picks (2025 and 2026) and rookie DE Austin Booker. Chicago has long needed help on its defensive line, missing on DE Matthew Judon this offseason, though in hindsight, last year’s trade for DE Montez Sweat (second-round pick) was a savvy move by GM Ryan Poles. There’s no help better than Garrett, a one-man wrecking crew.

Now, when I initially read it to Eddie with the two 1st round picks he immediately said no so I switched it to the Carolina pick for the sake of discussion. Full transparency, I would do the deal as proposed in the Athletic with the two first round picks. 

I am surprised to see the poll results. A late 1st, an early 2nd, and a former 5th round pick in Austin Booker (while I do admit I think he looks like a really good player and I wouldn't want to lose him) for one of the best defensive ends in football. He is a PERFECT scheme fit and having Myles Garrett opposite of Montez Sweat would give the Bears the best pass rush in all of football. Both guys would be under contract for the duration of Caleb's rookie deal and in my opinion this would give the Bears hands down the best defense in the league to go with an offense that is growing game by game. In short, I think this trade would make the Bears genuine Super Bowl contenders this year and the next two years. 

I've seen many replies on twitter saying that this is a move that Ryan Pace would make. He did give up a ton of draft capital to get Khalil Mack. And what did that do...it made the Bears Super Bowl contenders. The 2018 Bears went 12-4 and were a double doink away from...who knows what. They would've gone to LA to play the Jared Goff Rams who the Bears absolutely destroyed earlier in the year. Obviously no guarantees, but that group had a chance. 

It's also a trade that Poles would make. He's made trades mid-year, giving up 2nd rounders, to try and improve his team. Last year it was Sweat. Before that it was Claypool. He also made a splash for Keenan Allen. Obviously this trade packaged is juiced up, but Garrett is a better player. 

I am a big believer in striking while the iron is hot. Yes, the Bears have other needs that could use improving, but guys like Garrett don't become available often and adding a player of his caliber opposite of Sweat changes everything. Who do you double team? The Bears would NEVER need to blitz to get pressure. With Dexter and his 4 sacks already this year penetrating up the middle that front 4 would be the closest thing the NFL has seen to the Giants "NASCAR" front four that won the Super Bowl against the undefeated Patriots in 2007. It should also be noted that even with acquiring Garrett the Bears would still have $72M in cap space next year. Some of that is Keenan Allen's expiring deal which if they can't bring him back that has an impact as well. The Bears are in their window. Caleb looks like the real deal and the Bears should be doing everything they can to win now before they have to start paying him and the others on their rookie deals. 

I would push my chips in, but I am a gamblin' man. It is funny to me that there are people saying it's way too much to give up and others saying it's nowhere near enough. I really don't know, but what I do know is that I would do anything for a Super Bowl and this trade, in my eyes, makes the Bears legitimate contenders in '24, '25, and '26. I am willing to give up the capital to take a legitimate swing at the Lombardi trophy. Everyone comes off the books right when they need to pay Caleb and we will figure out that when the time comes. For now...let's go for it.