Latest NFL trade just added a new wrinkle to the Bears’ Monday night game, and Chicago has a hilarious opportunity to respond
The Seattle Seahawks have made an aggressive move ahead of the Nov. 10 trade deadline, and the Chicago Bears’ interior defenders could be the first to feel the impact on Monday Night Football.
The first big domino of the NFL trade deadline season has fallen, and the Chicago Bears need to pay attention to it.
The Seattle Seahawks acquired All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson from the Indianapolis Colts on Tuesday in exchange for a third-round pick and a future fifth-round pick. The move comes days before the Seahawks host the Bears on Monday Night Football.
The deal doesn’t involve Chicago directly, but it could have a real impact on Monday night’s matchup. Seattle is coming off a big win over the Kansas City Chiefs, and the reigning Super Bowl champions are clearly in buying mode as they push for another playoff run. With the Nov. 10 trade deadline approaching, the Seahawks didn’t wait around to strengthen their offensive line.
Quenton Nelson is still one of the best guards in football and there’s a shot he plays on Monday
Nelson’s name carries plenty of weight, and he’s backing it up this season. This season with the Colts, Nelson has allowed six pressures and zero sacks. Among guards, his pass block grade ranks fifth in the NFL.
That’s a top-five guard in pass protection joining an offensive line that now looks very different than it did yesterday. For a Seahawks team trying to protect quarterback Sam Darnold and stay aggressive in the NFC, it’s easy to see why Seattle was willing to give up a pair of draft picks to get this done.
The big question is whether Nelson will be ready to suit up against the Bears. The trade just became official, so it remains to be seen if he’ll have enough time to get up to speed with his new team before Monday night. If he does play, it adds a significant new wrinkle to this game.
Chicago’s interior front faces a tougher test if Nelson plays
The Bears’ defensive front was already preparing for a difficult road matchup. Now, defensive tackles Grady Jarrett, Kentavius Street, and the rest of the depth on the interior could be lining up across from one of the most reliable pass protectors in the league.
Winning up the middle is where Chicago could have disrupted the Seahawks’ rhythm on offense. Prior to this deal, the Seahawks’ two starting guards have allowed two sacks and 25 total pressures.
Going up against a guard who hasn’t allowed a sack all season makes that job a lot harder. Getting pressure on the quarterback will likely require more creativity from Dennis Allen if Nelson actually plays.
Could the Bears answer with a trade of their own?
The Seahawks’ move is likely only the beginning. Multiple insiders expect plenty more trades to come before Nov. 10, and many believe the Bears could be one of the more aggressive teams to watch.
One name to keep an eye on is Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner, because it’s clear Indianapolis is ready to make some deals. Imagine the Bears landing Buckner before Monday night and having him line up against his former teammate in Nelson. That would make for quite the storyline in a game that already carries plenty of weight. If he doesn’t land in Chicago, another NFC West team in the San Francisco 49ers could pounce.
For now, the first domino is off the board, and Seattle has made its opening statement. Over the next few days, we’ll see whether Chicago decides to respond. The race is on in the NFC, and the Bears have to decide how aggressive they want to be.
