Dolphins’ latest trade signals a full rebuild and the Bears should capitalize by calling about an elite weapon for Ben Johnson
The Miami Dolphins are in fire sell mode and may move another young offensive piece.
Another bombshell trade has happened in the NFL after the first week of free agency after the Miami Dolphins agreed to trade wide receiver Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos in exchange for a first-round pick and more.
It’s a massive deal and one that proves the rebuild is on in Miami with new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan callings the shots. Sullivan plans to build his team through the draft and clearly isn’t worried about success in 2026. Which is why the Chicago Bears should capitalize on this fire sale.
Chicago Bears need to call the Miami Dolphins to see if RB De’Von Achane is available
The last offensive player left in Miami with any real value is running back De’Von Achane. Achane is the only back in the league that can rival Jahmyr Gibbs’ explosiveness and coming off his first career Pro Bowl season. Normally you wouldn’t part ways with a player like that, but Achane is entering into the final year of his rookie contract. So, the Dolphins have three options: pay him, trade him, or let him walk in free agency after the season.
With no deal currently in place and multiple offensive pieces already out of the door, teams would be wise to call about Achane’s availability and the Bears should be first in line.
Ben Johnson’s offense with the Bears deployed a successful two-back approach last season with D’Andre Swift and seventh-round rookie Kyle Monangai. Swift, especially, had a bounce back year compared to his first season in Chicago but it wasn’t enough to quiet down whispers about potentially finding an upgrade at the RB1 spot.
Swift is heading into the final year of his contract with the Bears with little guaranteed money remaining. And it wouldn’t be the first time Johnson traded Swift out of his offense after one season for a more explosive back after replacing him with Gibbs in Detroit. Another nugget of note, Achane’s former RB coach Eric Studesville is now the new RB coach for the Bears.
What would it take to trade for De’Von Achane based on previous RB trades?
This would be some uncharted territory for Chicago to pull off because teams don’t normally trade young, elite, running backs of Achane’s caliber. But, let’s look at some historical examples.
| Player | Age at Trade | Compensation |
| Christian McCaffrey | 26-years-old | 2023 second, third, and fourth-round picks, plus a 2024 fifth-round pick |
| Trent Richardson | 22-years-old | 2014 first-round draft pick (26th overall pick) |
| Marshawn Lynch | 24-years-old | 2011 fourth-round pick and a 2012 fifth-round pick |
| Clinton Portis | 23-years-old | CB Champ Bailey and a 2004 second-round pick |
| Marshall Faulk | 26-years-old | 1999 second and fifth-round draft picks |
Clearly, it’s going to be a haul for the Bears. Here’s what I would consider to avoid giving up a ton of draft selections: RB D’Andre Swift, 2026 second-round pick, and a 2027 fourth-round pick. This gives the Dolphins a starting-caliber back in Swift for 2026 and two solid draft picks.
Plus, the Bears could afford to part ways with a second-rounder in 2026 after gaining an additional one in the trade involving WR DJ Moore. This is something Ben Johnson should be all over if he wants to really take his offense to the next level.