Buffalo Bills’ esteemed defensive tackle Ed Oliver has left fans speculating about a potential trade to the Chicago Bears, thanks to an enigmatic Instagram story. On March 22, Oliver uploaded images and videos of himself sacking the quarterbacks of NFC North teams, igniting the rumor mill.
Originally, Oliver’s posts showcased him tackling Jared Goff, Aaron Rodgers, and Kirk Cousins but excluded any interaction with the Bears. However, after witnessing the frenzy among Bears fans on social media, Oliver added a clip of him sacking Justin Fields during the Bears’ 35-13 loss to the Bills in Week 16.
Is Ed Oliver Worth the Investment for the Chicago Bears?
The prospect of Oliver hinting at a trade has left many wondering if the Bears would be interested in the 25-year-old defensive tackle. Oliver could be a perfect fit for the 3-technique role in head coach Matt Eberflus’ 4-3 scheme, which would be crucial for the Bears’ defensive improvement in 2023. Additionally, with a fifth-year option costing $10.753 million, he is expected to be reasonably affordable for the upcoming season.
Nonetheless, there are doubts about whether the Bears would be willing to give up the draft capital required for Oliver. Longtime Bears insider Greg Gabriel has dismissed the trade rumors outright, attributing them to cryptic social media posts. Gabriel argues that Oliver’s $10.5 million price tag is not justified by his performance, as the player has not lived up to his potential.
Oliver’s 2022 statistics show career lows in sacks (2.5) and solo tackles (20), while he missed three starts due to a high-ankle sprain. His struggle to stuff the run for the Bills is a major concern for a Bears defense that would rely on him as a run-stuffer and the “engine” of their defensive scheme.
What could be the Bears’ best possible decision?
Even though the Bears might consider trading for a defensive tackle like Oliver or Indianapolis’ DeForest Buckner, Georgia star Jalen Carter could still be their best option. Despite Carter’s NFL draft stock plummeting recently due to his arrest and lackluster pro-day performance, the Bears may still hope for the talented player to fall into their hands at No. 9 overall. Ultimately, Bears general manager Ryan Poles might prefer to draft and develop his own 3-tech engine rather than give up assets for a proven veteran.
