Bears Should Trade for Quinnen Williams Amid Major Development
The Chicago Bears and general manager Ryan Poles have made it clear in recent seasons that trading is always an option when it comes to building the roster. And now, another potential superstar could be on the trade block. According to insider discussions on SNY’s
And the Bears should be paying close attention.
Why the Bears Should Trade for Jets Superstar DT Quinnen Williams
Here’s what Hughes had to say on the developing situation surrounding Williams’ potential availability.
“You mentioned Quinnen Williams, I thought the same thing: first-round pick-plus. One and a three (or) one and a four. I was told by somebody very tied into this situation that the Jets are probably looking at a second-round pick for him. The reasoning for that is there is no real, substantial, guaranteed money left on his deal after this year. Teams know…there are rumblings around there that Quinnen Williams is unhappy, that’s the perception outside of Florham Park. We haven’t talked to Quinnen to see if he’s unhappy. He 100 percent would not tell the media the truth if he was unhappy or not.”
Even without full confirmation of his frustration, the external belief is real. “If he’s going to be traded, it’s because Quinnen wants out and the guaranteed money isn’t necessarily there as they would expect,” Hughes added.
This is where the Bears come in.
Williams signed a four-year, $96 million extension in 2023, which briefly made him the highest-paid interior defensive lineman in total contract value. Williams is a franchise player with All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors and is still well within his prime.
Any scenario in which a player of this caliber costs less than a first-rounder is almost unheard of. In reality, Williams likely will command something far greater — maybe the second-round pick mentioned
But the fact that a price even this low was mentioned at all should make the Bears immediately inquire about his availability.
Why Chicago Should Be Interested
A defensive front featuring Montez Sweat, Gervon Dexter Sr., Dayo Odeyingbo, and Williams should instantly give the Bears one of the best defensive fronts in the NFL.
Williams is a proven run-stuffer who can also dominate as a pass rusher. The Bears have the draft capital and a culture trending in the right direction, and the financials are something that can always be worked out to ensure Williams would be happy.
Plus, Chicago should already have leverage if the reports on Williams being unhappy in New York are true.
The question isn’t whether Williams would transform Chicago’s defense; it’s whether the Jets would give him up for just a second-round pick or even trade him in general.
If the price is really just a second-round pick, the Bears should be the first ones on the phone. If it’s significantly more, which is the more likely scenario, Chicago should still inquire because dominant interior defenders do not become available often.
Calls Grow for Browns to Trade Shedeur Sanders After Preseason Disaster
The Cleveland Browns are adamant that they’ll keep four quarterbacks on their 53-man roster but some see the stance as “trade bait.”
The Browns have said they will keep Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel and Sanders on the 53-man roster. Browns general manager Andrew Berry was clear that it’s the route the team will take during an interview on the broadcast of the final preseason game.
“It’s not much of a decision for us. All four guys have done what we’ve asked. Obviously, three of them have dealt with injuries throughout their time here,” Berry said. “The reality of it is, you have 53 roster spots, five are really developmental or inactive spots. Plus, post-COVID, the roster rules are so much more flexible. You can build your game day roster pretty creatively. Quarterback is the most important position in sports. We have a room where we like all the guys in there. We don’t see it as a problem, we see it as more of an opportunity.”
Berry’s statement raised some eyebrows, and not everyone believes that the Browns will take the unconventional route.
“Trade bait,” NFL insider Josina Anderson wrote on X in reference to Berry’s stance, shortly after posting an extended rant on Sanders.
Browns’ Shedeur Sanders Decision Revs Up Trade Talk
Sanders entered as the third quarterback during Saturday’s preseason tilt against the Los Angeles Rams. Flacco and Gabriel saw time in the first half. It was a disaster for the fifth-round pick, who was sacked five times and completed just three passes.
It looked like Sanders would receive a shot at a two-minute situation to win the game, but the Browns instead inserted Tyler Huntley. That didn’t sit well with many fans.
“Trust your eyes, and not the narrative the Browns are selling with keeping 4 QB’s. After Stefanski’s head-scratching move, I fully expect the Browns to trade or waive Shedeur Sanders,” one fan said. “His message to Shedeur couldn’t have been clearer: ‘I don’t want you.'”
“TRADE HIM! That’s why Shedeur had to go take a walk and laugh. His body language today said A LOT,” another fan added. “They made sure his last preseason game was a disaster to keep this narrative going.”
Noted talking head Skip Bayless also weighed in, saying, “GET SHEDEUR THE HELL OUT OF CLEVELAND, OUT FROM UNDER STEFANSKI.”
Shedeur Sanders on if He’ll Make Browns Roster: ‘Obviously’
Flacco will open the season as the Browns’ starter, but the rest of the quarterback depth chart remains unsettled. Cleveland isn’t expected to shake things up when it finalizes the order. Pickett, still working back from a hamstring injury, is projected to be the primary backup, while Gabriel and Sanders are viewed as developmental options.
Sanders was asked on Saturday after his preseason outing if he feels certain he’ll remain on the Browns’ roster.
“Obviously,” Sanders said. “I think overall as a player, I think I put in the work. I feel like everything I do, I try to do it to my best, and that’s all I can ask for. … I feel like I do, but I’m my own player. I think about myself in a high regard. It’s not my decision.”
The deadline is Tuesday at 2 p.m. ET for teams around the NFL to cut down their roster to 53 players.
