Bears Trade Proposal Reunites $23 Million Defender With Dennis Allen
Pete Werner has been a steady if unspectacular piece of the New Orleans Saints defense since arriving as a second-round pick out of Ohio State in 2021.
At 6-foot-3 and 242 pounds, Werner entered the league under then-defensive coordinator Dennis Allen and became one of Allen’s trusted on-field communicators when Allen took over as head coach. That history with Allen, who is now defensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears, is why some feel a reunion could be on the table.
John Sigler of USA Today’s Saints Wire put together a trade proposal that would send Werner to the Windy City.
Werner is under contract for 2026 and 2027, and the Saints would save more than $6.25 million next year by trading him,” Sigler noted. Reuniting him with his old coach Dennis Allen on the Chicago Bears could help both sides. Chicago is giving up the most yards per rushing attempt (6.1) through four weeks. Third-year linebacker Noah Sewell has missed 10 tackles in that span and could be bumped down the depth chart.”
Trade Proposal Sends LB Pete Werner to Chicago Bears for 2026 5th-Round Pick
Dennis Allen knows LB Pete Werner well. Should the Chicago Bears try to trade for him? Getty
From the Bears’ perspective, the scheme fit is there. Allen knows Werner’s strengths and limitations and could likely get the best out of him. Chicago has two expensive starters at LB in T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds, but their depth has been tested with Edwards in particulat limited this season. Adding a veteran who understands Allen’s system might not be a bad thing.
Here’s the trade proposal Sigler put together:
- New Orleans gets: 2026 fifth-round pick (projected No. 156 overall)
- Chicago gets: LB Pete Werner
The Saints inked Werner to a $22.5 million extension, and Sigler, who thinks it’s an overpay, believes the Bears should still be interested. His 2025 cap hit sits at a manageable $2.89 million, but New Orleans has already committed meaningful cash to him. That makes a trade tougher to pull off unless the Saints are actively retooling.
One of Dennis Allen’s last moves before getting canned was pushing for Werner’s contract extension — and now the Saints are stuck with an underperforming linebacker who isn’t a good fit in their rebuilt defense,” Sigler added. “If they can move on from Werner and open up snaps for rookie fourth-round pick Danny Stutsman, they should try to make it happen. Learning what they have in Stutsman and getting him valuable snaps should be a priority. Don’t wait for Demario Davis to retire to get Stutsman on the field with the starters. But what is Werner’s value on the trade block?”
So, if he’s underperforming this year, should the Bears even be interested?
Bears Are Likely Better Off Sticking With 24-Year-Old LB Noah Sewell
Werner’s production has been relatively average in recent years. After a promising early career arc, he finished 2023 with 93 tackles and 0.5 sacks. In 2024l, he finished with 92 tackles in 13 games, missing time to injury and struggling at times in coverage. Through the first four weeks of 2025 he’s logged 30 tackles and a sack.
Warner is a solid player, more consistent than he is dynamic, but here’s the thing: Sewell is playing better than Werner this season, primarily against the run. He has made some mistakes, to be sure, but Sewell ‘s 77.4 run defense grade from PFF ranks 25th out of 132 qualifying LBs. Werner’s 58.3 grade against the run is ranked 88th.
Sewell is just 24 and is in his first season as a starter with Chicago. He’s just getting acclimated to Allen’s defense, and while he has missed some tackles, he’s also an ascending player with loads of potential that may still remain untapped. He’s also still on his rookie contract, which makes him a much more affordable option.
If Edwards has a setback or Sewell begins to struggle badly, a trade for Werner might make sense for the Bears. But as of now, Chicago is better off rolling with Sewell.
"He Has Extraordinary Potential": O'Connell Criticizes McCarthy After Ankle Injury, Throws Full Support Behind Wentz
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell has sparked controversy after publicly backing quarterback Carson Wentz while delivering pointed criticism of JJ McCarthy’s performance following a concerning ankle injury. While Wentz has had his own struggles, O'Connell was quick to praise his ability and potential, leading many to question his treatment of McCarthy during this challenging time.
O'Connell, who had previously expressed confidence in McCarthy as the starting quarterback, was noticeably more critical in his latest remarks, particularly after McCarthy's recent ankle injury. “I know Carson has the extraordinary potential to lead this team,” O'Connell said. “We’ve seen his talent before. As for JJ, the injury certainly didn’t help, but the lack of adjustment after his setbacks is a concern. We need more from our QB, especially in tough situations like this."
McCarthy, who had been performing well before the injury, has now found himself facing heightened scrutiny from both fans and O'Connell. While the young QB’s resilience through injury has been praised, his inability to adjust in the face of adversity seems to have cost him O'Connell’s full confidence.
Despite McCarthy’s proven abilities, O'Connell's public comments have raised questions about the coach’s long-term plans for the quarterback position, with many wondering if the injury has now cast doubt on McCarthy's role in Minnesota’s future.
As the debate rages on, O'Connell’s support for Wentz has only added fuel to the fire, leading to further speculation about who will ultimately take the reins under center for the Vikings. Will McCarthy bounce back stronger, or is Wentz poised to seize the starting role moving forward? Only time will tell.
