In an effort to get back to an identity that has defined them for decades, the ‘Monsters of the Midway’, the Chicago Bears, are not done just yet adding to the roster ahead of the 2024 season.
Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported that the Bears have acquired linebacker Darrell Taylor from the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round pick.
Taylor, a 2020 second-round pick, who is entering his all-important fourth season in the NFL, has played in 49 games, 13 of them have been starts over the past three seasons after being sidelined for his entire rookie campaign due to a severe leg injury suffered during his collegiate career at Tennessee. Over those three seasons, Taylor registered 91 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 34 quarterback hits and 21.5 sacks, including 9.5 in 2022 to tie for the team lead with Uchenna Nwosu.
“It’s exciting for us to get [Taylor],” Bears coach Matt Eberflus said on 670 The Score in Chicago. “He’s got sack production, a really good pass rusher. He fits our scheme in terms of his effort, his style, his disposition.”
Taylor is entering the final year of his rookie deal and will hit unrestricted free agency at the end of the 2024 season. He was scheduled to earn $3.116 million in base salary this season, an amount the Seahawks felt was too rich for their blood for a situational edge rusher, likely the extent of Taylor’s role given his history of struggling to defend the run.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe Seahawks opted against tendering Taylor as a restricted free agent in March, instead signing him to a one-year, $3.136 million deal that included a $20,000 signing bonus.
Taylor could see an increased role in his new home with the Bears and the trade is just another glaring example of how Chicago wants to take a massive leap forward in 2024. The franchise has not made it to the playoffs since 2020 and has not enjoyed a winning season since 2018.
Chicago went 7-10 in 2023 and finished in last place in their division, the NFC North, but in an unusual turn of events had the No. 1 pick due to a 2023 trade with the Carolina Panthers. The Bears used the selection on quarterback Caleb Williams, and used another on wide receiver Rome Odunze.
Other notable moves from the Bears include acquiring wide receiver Keenan Allen from the Los Angeles Chargers and extending defensive standouts Montez Sweat and Jaylon Johnson.
The Bears’ extensive search to find an edge rusher to pair with Pro Bowler Sweat was chronicled in the latest episode of HBO’s “Hard Knocks.” Chicago had planned to send a third-round pick to the New England Patriots in exchange for Matthew Judon but elected to back off after not being able to hammer out the framework of an extension with the 32-year-old outside linebacker, who was ultimately traded to the Atlanta Falcons.
This is the second trade that Seahawks general manager John Schneider has pulled off in as many days. On Thursday, he sent cornerback Michael Jackson to the Carolina Panthers for rookie inside linebacker Michael Barrett.
The NFC North will be a difficult bruising division once again in 2024, with the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers also possessing formidable rosters. However, Chicago hopes to crash that party and Taylor could be a solid piece for that effort.
