Lets keep in mind that the author, Bill Barnwell, wrote this story as a fun piece to mock a trade at all 32 selections in the first round.
OK, now that we've established the "credibility" of the article, yes, I would do this trade in a heartbeat and not think twice about it.
Which lets you know that the Jets would never go for it. If the trade is that genrally well liked by one side then it's probably not even close to fair for the othr. The only mitigating issue is that Richardson is out of contract next year.
Here's another take on Richardson via trade. Depending upon how Pace and his staff view Jonathan Allen vs Sheldon Richardson if the Jets will deal him for a 4th rounder this approach may be a far better option. The biggest negatives other than Richardson's past history which make him a questionable fit in Chicago is his contract which pays him $8 mil and change in 2017 plus the need to sign him to a long term deal at the same time that Akiem Hicks is also due for an extension. Can we afford both?
Releasing Lamarr Houston would cover only half of Richardson's 2017 salary and going forward if Pace wants to sign both Hicks and Richardson before they become UFA he's probably looking at deals that would average at least $10-$12 mil per year for a top ten DE and more like $16 mil if either could get top five money. Would he, or Phillips/McCaskey be willing to commit to both and the kind of guaranteed money we'd have to put up?
I agree that it could be a sweet deal for only a 4th round pick but it's those negatives that come with Richardson that have impacted his trade value. If his contract demands are too great $8 mil and a 4th round pick is a lot to pay for a one year rental and it may very well come to that if the Bears won't meet his demands. I don't think there's any doubt Pace would consider Hicks to be his priority so unless Richardson agrees to an extension Pace can live contingent on a trade I don't see how it would work. That's is where it gets tricky. What kind of money is Richardson looking for?
If Pace can pull this off it leaves him with even more options at #3. He can take Thomas if they believe he can line up as an OLB, they can take a QB because in effect Richardson will be that starter at DE, they can take Adams, or they can trade down if they get a buyer for their pick and still draft a BPA who will fill a need somewhere. Our holes are abundant.
Should the Bears trade for Sheldon Richardson? Trading for Sheldon Richardson could help shore up Chicago's defensive line.
Matt Eurich - 23 hours ago 3
The Chicago Bears are contemplating taking a young 5-technique defensive end in this year's draft in either Alabama's Jonathan Allen or Stanford's Solomon Thomas, but should they be considering a trade for a proven commodity like Sheldon Richardson?
The 13th overall pick of the New York Jets in 2013, Richardson no longer has a real fit with the Jets due to the emergence of Leonard Williams and Muhammad Wilkerson along the defensive line.
In his rookie season in 2013, Richardson recorded 78 tackles, 3.5 sacks, one pass deflection and one forced fumble en route to being named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. The following year he recorded 67 tackles, a career-high eight sacks, one safety, one pass deflection and one forced.
Richardson was suspended four games in 2015 for violating the league's substance abuse policy, but he ended the year with 35 tackles, five sacks, two pass deflections and two forced fumbles in 11 games. Last season he recorded 62 tackles, 1.5 sacks, two pass deflections and one forced fumble.
If the Jets are up for moving him, Chicago at least needs to inquire on how much it will cost to get him.
Former NFL general manager and current ESPN analyst Mark Dominik took a look at Richardson's situation in New York and believes the Jets are hoping to get a second rounder for Richardson. But Dominik noted the Jets will likely settle for a fourth-round pick, writing:
Richardson has missed five games due to suspension in the past two seasons. Combine that with his $8.069 million salary on the final remaining year of his contract, and you won't find many trade suitors for Richardson. The Cowboys make the most sense to me, given their need for more talent up front and their willingness to take chances on players with character concerns. The issue? Dallas doesn't have $7 million in available cap room right now. Unless the Jets can get a fourth-round pick or better for Richardson, I'd hang onto him, see how he plays and maybe get a compensatory selection in the 2019 draft when he signs elsewhere during next year's free-agency period.
The two issues Dominik sees is the money and a team with the willingness to trade a fourth-round pick. According to Spotrac, the Bears are sitting with just over $26 million in cap space, even after signing Mike Glennon, Quintin Demps, Markus Wheaton and Marcus Cooper to long-term deals in free agency.
Money should not be an issue for Chicago, but trading for Richardson on the final year of his deal means the team would likely want to get a long-term deal done before making the deal official. If that were to happen, the Bears could find themselves with an upset Akiem Hicks on their hands. He is on the second and final year of his deal in Chicago and should also be in line for a pay increase after a solid 2016 campaign.
When it comes to draft picks, Chicago has the benefit of holding two fourth-round picks in this year's draft. Chicago holds the 111th pick and Buffalo's 117th selection after making two draft-day trades last year to move back in the second round.
The Bears have a need to get young across the board, so giving away a draft pick is not exactly ideal, but if it can fetch someone of Richardson's quality in return, it would be worth it.
Richardson is still just 26 years old and despite the fact that he has been suspended five games in his NFL career, he is a talented defensive end who can help anchor Chicago's defensive line for years to come.
Here's another take on Richardson via trade. Depending upon how Pace and his staff view Jonathan Allen vs Sheldon Richardson if the Jets will deal him for a 4th rounder this approach may be a far better option. The biggest negatives other than Richardson's past history which make him a questionable fit in Chicago is his contract which pays him $8 mil and change in 2017 plus the need to sign him to a long term deal at the same time that Akiem Hicks is also due for an extension. Can we afford both?
Releasing Lamarr Houston would cover only half of Richardson's 2017 salary and going forward if Pace wants to sign both Hicks and Richardson before they become UFA he's probably looking at deals that would average at least $10-$12 mil per year for a top ten DE and more like $16 mil if either could get top five money. Would he, or Phillips/McCaskey be willing to commit to both and the kind of guaranteed money we'd have to put up?
I agree that it could be a sweet deal for only a 4th round pick but it's those negatives that come with Richardson that have impacted his trade value. If his contract demands are too great $8 mil and a 4th round pick is a lot to pay for a one year rental and it may very well come to that if the Bears won't meet his demands. I don't think there's any doubt Pace would consider Hicks to be his priority so unless Richardson agrees to an extension Pace can live contingent on a trade I don't see how it would work. That's is where it gets tricky. What kind of money is Richardson looking for?
If Pace can pull this off it leaves him with even more options at #3. He can take Thomas if they believe he can line up as an OLB, they can take a QB because in effect Richardson will be that starter at DE, they can take Adams, or they can trade down if they get a buyer for their pick and still draft a BPA who will fill a need somewhere. Our holes are abundant.
Should the Bears trade for Sheldon Richardson? Trading for Sheldon Richardson could help shore up Chicago's defensive line.
Matt Eurich - 23 hours ago 3
The Chicago Bears are contemplating taking a young 5-technique defensive end in this year's draft in either Alabama's Jonathan Allen or Stanford's Solomon Thomas, but should they be considering a trade for a proven commodity like Sheldon Richardson?
The 13th overall pick of the New York Jets in 2013, Richardson no longer has a real fit with the Jets due to the emergence of Leonard Williams and Muhammad Wilkerson along the defensive line.
In his rookie season in 2013, Richardson recorded 78 tackles, 3.5 sacks, one pass deflection and one forced fumble en route to being named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. The following year he recorded 67 tackles, a career-high eight sacks, one safety, one pass deflection and one forced.
Richardson was suspended four games in 2015 for violating the league's substance abuse policy, but he ended the year with 35 tackles, five sacks, two pass deflections and two forced fumbles in 11 games. Last season he recorded 62 tackles, 1.5 sacks, two pass deflections and one forced fumble.
If the Jets are up for moving him, Chicago at least needs to inquire on how much it will cost to get him.
Former NFL general manager and current ESPN analyst Mark Dominik took a look at Richardson's situation in New York and believes the Jets are hoping to get a second rounder for Richardson. But Dominik noted the Jets will likely settle for a fourth-round pick, writing:
Richardson has missed five games due to suspension in the past two seasons. Combine that with his $8.069 million salary on the final remaining year of his contract, and you won't find many trade suitors for Richardson. The Cowboys make the most sense to me, given their need for more talent up front and their willingness to take chances on players with character concerns. The issue? Dallas doesn't have $7 million in available cap room right now. Unless the Jets can get a fourth-round pick or better for Richardson, I'd hang onto him, see how he plays and maybe get a compensatory selection in the 2019 draft when he signs elsewhere during next year's free-agency period.
The two issues Dominik sees is the money and a team with the willingness to trade a fourth-round pick. According to Spotrac, the Bears are sitting with just over $26 million in cap space, even after signing Mike Glennon, Quintin Demps, Markus Wheaton and Marcus Cooper to long-term deals in free agency.
Money should not be an issue for Chicago, but trading for Richardson on the final year of his deal means the team would likely want to get a long-term deal done before making the deal official. If that were to happen, the Bears could find themselves with an upset Akiem Hicks on their hands. He is on the second and final year of his deal in Chicago and should also be in line for a pay increase after a solid 2016 campaign.
When it comes to draft picks, Chicago has the benefit of holding two fourth-round picks in this year's draft. Chicago holds the 111th pick and Buffalo's 117th selection after making two draft-day trades last year to move back in the second round.
The Bears have a need to get young across the board, so giving away a draft pick is not exactly ideal, but if it can fetch someone of Richardson's quality in return, it would be worth it.
Richardson is still just 26 years old and despite the fact that he has been suspended five games in his NFL career, he is a talented defensive end who can help anchor Chicago's defensive line for years to come.
I would do that deal in a heartbeat (for a 4th) IF Richardson agreed to a contract along with it. Not for a 1 year rental. It's not like we are gearing up for a deep run this year.
We have $26m in cap space plus what about $8-10m more to be gained by releasing Royal (inevitable when he passes medical) and Houston (likely)? That should be adequate for SR + Hicks extension + draft class. Richardson is young, an ideal fit for 3-4 DE, and a huge upgrade over Unrein. Bullard can be the backup.
Richardson is a legit 5 tech in a 3-4 scheme that Fangio likes(tall closer to 300lbs), most of these guys in this draft are more along the lines of a 3-4 OLB the way Fang uses them, Allen, Garret and Thomas included....they are closer to the size of Bullard, who struggled to do what Fang wants.
So ya you do that trade; IF, you can get a basic contract set up and worked out w/his agent.
Here's another take on Richardson via trade. Depending upon how Pace and his staff view Jonathan Allen vs Sheldon Richardson if the Jets will deal him for a 4th rounder this approach may be a far better option. The biggest negatives other than Richardson's past history which make him a questionable fit in Chicago is his contract which pays him $8 mil and change in 2017 plus the need to sign him to a long term deal at the same time that Akiem Hicks is also due for an extension. Can we afford both?
Releasing Lamarr Houston would cover only half of Richardson's 2017 salary and going forward if Pace wants to sign both Hicks and Richardson before they become UFA he's probably looking at deals that would average at least $10-$12 mil per year for a top ten DE and more like $16 mil if either could get top five money. Would he, or Phillips/McCaskey be willing to commit to both and the kind of guaranteed money we'd have to put up?
I agree that it could be a sweet deal for only a 4th round pick but it's those negatives that come with Richardson that have impacted his trade value. If his contract demands are too great $8 mil and a 4th round pick is a lot to pay for a one year rental and it may very well come to that if the Bears won't meet his demands. I don't think there's any doubt Pace would consider Hicks to be his priority so unless Richardson agrees to an extension Pace can live contingent on a trade I don't see how it would work. That's is where it gets tricky. What kind of money is Richardson looking for?
If Pace can pull this off it leaves him with even more options at #3. He can take Thomas if they believe he can line up as an OLB, they can take a QB because in effect Richardson will be that starter at DE, they can take Adams, or they can trade down if they get a buyer for their pick and still draft a BPA who will fill a need somewhere. Our holes are abundant.
Should the Bears trade for Sheldon Richardson? Trading for Sheldon Richardson could help shore up Chicago's defensive line.
Matt Eurich - 23 hours ago 3
The Chicago Bears are contemplating taking a young 5-technique defensive end in this year's draft in either Alabama's Jonathan Allen or Stanford's Solomon Thomas, but should they be considering a trade for a proven commodity like Sheldon Richardson?
The 13th overall pick of the New York Jets in 2013, Richardson no longer has a real fit with the Jets due to the emergence of Leonard Williams and Muhammad Wilkerson along the defensive line.
In his rookie season in 2013, Richardson recorded 78 tackles, 3.5 sacks, one pass deflection and one forced fumble en route to being named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. The following year he recorded 67 tackles, a career-high eight sacks, one safety, one pass deflection and one forced.
Richardson was suspended four games in 2015 for violating the league's substance abuse policy, but he ended the year with 35 tackles, five sacks, two pass deflections and two forced fumbles in 11 games. Last season he recorded 62 tackles, 1.5 sacks, two pass deflections and one forced fumble.
If the Jets are up for moving him, Chicago at least needs to inquire on how much it will cost to get him.
Former NFL general manager and current ESPN analyst Mark Dominik took a look at Richardson's situation in New York and believes the Jets are hoping to get a second rounder for Richardson. But Dominik noted the Jets will likely settle for a fourth-round pick, writing:
Richardson has missed five games due to suspension in the past two seasons. Combine that with his $8.069 million salary on the final remaining year of his contract, and you won't find many trade suitors for Richardson. The Cowboys make the most sense to me, given their need for more talent up front and their willingness to take chances on players with character concerns. The issue? Dallas doesn't have $7 million in available cap room right now. Unless the Jets can get a fourth-round pick or better for Richardson, I'd hang onto him, see how he plays and maybe get a compensatory selection in the 2019 draft when he signs elsewhere during next year's free-agency period.
The two issues Dominik sees is the money and a team with the willingness to trade a fourth-round pick. According to Spotrac, the Bears are sitting with just over $26 million in cap space, even after signing Mike Glennon, Quintin Demps, Markus Wheaton and Marcus Cooper to long-term deals in free agency.
Money should not be an issue for Chicago, but trading for Richardson on the final year of his deal means the team would likely want to get a long-term deal done before making the deal official. If that were to happen, the Bears could find themselves with an upset Akiem Hicks on their hands. He is on the second and final year of his deal in Chicago and should also be in line for a pay increase after a solid 2016 campaign.
When it comes to draft picks, Chicago has the benefit of holding two fourth-round picks in this year's draft. Chicago holds the 111th pick and Buffalo's 117th selection after making two draft-day trades last year to move back in the second round.
The Bears have a need to get young across the board, so giving away a draft pick is not exactly ideal, but if it can fetch someone of Richardson's quality in return, it would be worth it.
Richardson is still just 26 years old and despite the fact that he has been suspended five games in his NFL career, he is a talented defensive end who can help anchor Chicago's defensive line for years to come.
I would do that deal in a heartbeat (for a 4th) IF Richardson agreed to a contract along with it. Not for a 1 year rental. It's not like we are gearing up for a deep run this year.
We have $26m in cap space plus what about $8-10m more to be gained by releasing Royal (inevitable when he passes medical) and Houston (likely)? That should be adequate for SR + Hicks extension + draft class. Richardson is young, an ideal fit for 3-4 DE, and a huge upgrade over Unrein. Bullard can be the backup.
It's less his cost this year than his eventual cost and that's what Pace and Laine will have to deal with because in my mind keeping Hicks is pretty much a must. He's been the most consistent of Pace's UFA pickups to date and he's still a rising player. If Pace trades for Richardson that's two major DL deals he'll need to do this year or early next with Hicks. SR before any trade can be made final and Hicks soon after. You have to think in terms of both getting similar deals.
A DL with Hicks and SR on the edge and Goldman in the middle with backups like Bullard, Wilson and whoever nabs the backup NT spot would be pretty formidable. There's also RRH who depending on how they see him could be either a DE or an OLB if he makes the team. But my other question with SR is how his suspensions might impact the Bears view of him. Another suspension if more lengthy will put Pace on the spot for having signed him. Also just how much influence does Fox continue to have? Does a young player whose had some issues fit in his locker room and what will SR's attitude be about being traded to Chicago? Is he gonna be a "problem child" once he's here?
No doubt he's an ideal age, he's plays a position we can use help at especially at his level of play, and he eliminates the need to gamble on Allen and his longer term health issues and allows us to focus on drafting for another position. The bigger questions though are based on money and behavioral issues. Is he a guy we can build around and depend on?
I think if a QB doesn't go at 1 or 2 then no way in hell Pace trades down. He gets to pick the QB he wants and does it. If QB goes at 2 and it's the QB Pace wanted, I think he'll do everything in his power to trade down, and even possibly trade back up if One of the top 4 QB's are still on the board near the end of Rd 1
Richardson is a legit 5 tech in a 3-4 scheme that Fangio likes(tall closer to 300lbs), most of these guys in this draft are more along the lines of a 3-4 OLB the way Fang uses them, Allen, Garret and Thomas included....they are closer to the size of Bullard, who struggled to do what Fang wants.
So ya you do that trade; IF, you can get a basic contract set up and worked out w/his agent.
Absolutely! I wanted Hankins but Richardson would be just as good if not better. That solidifies your DL with 3 sub-30yo starters all for a 4th round pick....heck yeah do that deal.
