Chicago Bears: 3 trades to help fill void from Akiem Hicks injury By Rob Schwarz, Jr. - October 13th, 2019
One major difference between this Chicago Bears season and last season is the injury bug. The Bears experienced injuries last season, but they happened later and were spread out more. They also had less major injuries. Khalil Mack missed a couple of games. Allen Robinson missed a couple of games and even Mitchell Trubisky missed a couple of games.
This year, the Bears started the season by losing Bilal Nichols to a hand injury. Nichols played 51 percent of the snaps against the Packers. He played another 14 percent of the defensive snaps against the Broncos. He has yet to play in a game since. Now, Akiem Hicks, who was dealing with a knee injury will be out for anywhere from four to eight weeks with an elbow injury. Losing Hicks for any period of time is difficult. However, if he only misses three games, the Chicago Bears might be able to overcome that. Anything more than that will be difficult, especially during the Bears’ next stretch of games.
With the way the offense is struggling, the Chicago Bears defense cannot take too many more big hits. Nichols might be healthy enough to return soon, but he is not Akiem Hicks. With the lack of depth at the position, Ryan Pace should consider calling around and seeing who might be available via trade. Here are three possibilities for Pace and Chuck Pagano to consider.
I'm not really a big fan of trading away picks for 1 year players when we need all we can get to restock the roster with fresh talent. I'm not down playing Hicks or anything but we dominated a great rushing attack against the Vikings and imo the game against the Raiders was a fluke game which was the result of our players having less time to prepare in a new environment and the jet lag.
If anything look into Muhammad Wilkerson. He's a free agent and wouldn't cost us draft picks. May have some problems but for one year I think this team can stomach them.
Post by brasilbear on Oct 14, 2019 10:12:35 GMT -6
Next man up. Seriously.
(1) Not a lot of trade assets at this point in time on the roster. Who do we trade that doesn't weaken a position group and that Pace seriously can move? Miller? Wims?
(2) Since I want a QB in the second round I'd hesitate to trade any draft picks.
(3) Street FA? At this point maybe take a look since we are looking at back end of the roster depth.
This isn't Madden. Time to see if the guys the coaches kept are just guys or if they are true depth.
This is a blow, but it's just life in the NFL. Our defense is not going to be the same, but this is why you HAVE to have some offense firepower. It sounds like Trubisky may be back this week. Hopefully the offense can start looking better on a consistent basis over the final 11 games of this season. I'm hoping Trubisky can start settling in with some consistency and deliver for us.
And I am 100% in agreement that we shouldn't give away any more draft picks. You can't sustain that model for very long (giving away draft picks).
Post by paytonisgod on Oct 14, 2019 15:54:51 GMT -6
Yeah I was worried about this as soon as the injury happened. I'm actually a little surprised the possibility exists they can get him back at the end of the season.
If anything look into Muhammad Wilkerson. He's a free agent and wouldn't cost us draft picks. May have some problems but for one year I think this team can stomach them.
Actually that's not a bad idea. Didn't think of that. To be fair, we have no idea if he has fully recovered from his ankle injury but at least we wouldn't have to give up picks. Not to mention that maybe he could share some inside information regarding the Packers.