Bears Could Revisit Blockbuster Trade for Elite DE Amid Contract Dispute
Bears trading for Burns would be a major move, comparable to the Mack deal. In 2022, he had a great season for the Panthers, making his second Pro Bowl appearance.
He had 12.5 sacks, tying for the eighth-most in the NFL, and achieved a double-digit sack total for the first time in his career.
Bears revamped their defensive end position for 2023, replacing Trevis Gipson with Yannick Ngakoue, DeMarcus Walker, and Rasheem Green.
Ngakoue is the only proven pass rusher and is on a one-year deal, just like Green. Only Walker and Dominique Robinson may remain on the roster by 2024.
To find a long-term solution at the position, the Bears should consider contacting the Panthers to inquire about Burns' availability.
The Bears may need to trade a first-round pick to acquire him, but they have multiple picks in 2024 and 2025.
The Bears can afford to give Burns the extension he wants. In 2024, they will have the second-most cap space in the NFL, around $97.77 million.
They can easily make Burns one of the top five highest-paid players at his position, with salaries ranging from $23.5 million to $28 million per year.
The Bears will assess the first half of the 2023 season with their new team members.
If the results are disappointing, they may pursue Burns from the Panthers before the trade deadline.