3 moves Chicago Bears must make before the NFL trade deadline
In good (if flimsy) position at 5-2, here are 3 moves the Chicago Bears must make before next week’s trade deadline.
Bill Parcells once famously said “You are what your record says you are.” The standings say the Chicago Bears are 5-2, with comeback wins over the Detroit Lions (3-3) and Atlanta Falcons (1-6 entering Thursday night) and narrow wins over the New York Giants (1-6) and Carolina Panthers (3-4).
In Week 7, the Bears were humbled by the Los Angeles Rams 24-10. The game was not that close though, as Chicago’s touchdown came defensively and the offense couldn’t get anything done (279 yards). With tough games coming against the New Orleans Saints in Week 8 and the Tennessee Titans in Week 9, they may need to beat the Minnesota Vikings in Week 10 to head into their Week 11 bye above .500.
Purely on the strength of a good defense, the Bears could get back to the playoffs this year. But to be a legit threat to the Green Bay Packers in the NFC North, and a real threat in the NFC playoff run, some changes and reinforcements look necessary.
Here are three moves the Bears must make before the NFL trade deadline next Tuesday.
3. Put Lamar Miller On The Active Roster
After losing Tarik Cohen to a torn ACL, the Bears signed Miller to their practice squad. He missed all of last season with a torn ACL and MCL of his own. But from 2014-2018 he never had less than 872 rushing yards while averaging 4.5 yards or better per carry in three of those five seasons. He can also offer something as a pass catcher, with 209 career receptions (four seasons with 30 or more).
Bears head coach Matt Nagy said Miller is “getting close” to making his debut. There’s a chance it’s Sunday against the Saints.
Matt Nagy on #Bears practice squad RB Lamar Miller: "I think he's looking better and better each day. ... I do think he's getting close."
— Brad Biggs (@BradBiggs) October 28, 2020
So, maybe Miller gets a shot to join the 53-man roster before Sunday's game vs #Saints
It’s a good idea to find a way to get the ball in his hands, but the Cordarrelle Patterson as the No. 2 running back experiment has to be over for the Bears. Miller can’t be any worse, offensive line shortcomings to blame or not.
Cordarrelle Patterson had an 88.5% chance of gaining a first down when he received the toss according to our Expected Rushing Yards model, but failed to convert after Terrell Lewis shed his blocker.
— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) October 27, 2020
The Rams now have a 99% win probability.#CHIvsLAR | Powered by @awscloud pic.twitter.com/95530L0ROS
As long as he’s in good physical condition, which he should be over a year removed from his knee injury and with nearly a month of practice under his belt, Miller should be uniform against the Saints in Week 8.