Bears Are Once Again Devoid of Logic at the Trade Deadline

Today’s typical sports fan, like today’s coach and executive, is more sophisticated than ever before. Statistics are better and more readily accessible. Positional value and cost-benefit analysis are part of every intelligent conversation about major roster moves. Reasonable fans understand that no team nails every move and that most teams don’t win championships. But fans at least want to see the logic behind an approach. This is what must make it so frustrating to be a Bears fan right now.

In the past 12 months, Bears general manager Ryan Poles has:

1. Traded a second-round pick for receiver Chase Claypool when they were 3–5.
2. Declined to even really consider using the No. 1 pick in the draft on a quarterback because they had Justin Fields.
3. Traded a second-round pick for defensive end Montez Sweat when they are 2–6 and (see No. 2) probably do not have a long-term quarterback solution on the roster.