The Chicago Bears will likely be active this NFL Draft and trade former fourth-rounder Andrew Billings offseason. According to a FOX Sports source, they believe the Bears could dangle the defensive tackle on the trade block, as it could be true since the team is continuing to rebuild. Originally selected in the 2016 NFL Draft, the former Baylor product began his career with the Cincinnati Bengals, hoping to be a reliable interior defensive lineman. However, it wasn’t enough to compensate him for a new contract. Despite that, Billings finally got some life after being a journeyman waiting for a starting opportunity and got that chance with the Bears, starting all 17 games for them in 2023.
It only lasted two years as he’s entering the final season of his contract, assuming the Bears will trade him before the 2025 campaign. After suffering a torn pec that kept him out of the second half of the season, it might be time for the team to move on. The Bears may have been active adding an offensive line for quarterback Caleb Williams, but they had the same energy for their defensive trenches. General Manager Ryan Poles brought in Grady Jarrett as the latest defensive tackle and spent big money on guys like Montez Sweat while signing Dayo Odeyingbo this offseason, it sure sounds like the Bears will be open to trading Billings to these three teams.
Breaking: Bears Could Trade Fourth Rounder Journeyman Andrew Billings – 3 Logical Fits
Potential Destinations
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are just one better defense away from being Super Bowl champions one day. Last season, they had one of the worst pass rushes, and the team signing Yannick Ngakoue to find some temporary help was an example of that. As much as veteran Jadeveon Clowney was just one player, he turned this defense from good to great in a heartbeat. The Ravens couldn’t compensate for his next contract due to salary cap concerns, and that seems to be the case for this offseason, too, losing linebacker Malik Harrison to the Steelers.
Meanwhile, Broderick Washington and Travis Jones are the weak links of this defense, while Nnamdi Madubuike has been carrying this defensive trenches on his back. Billings might have been a rotational defensive lineman over the past year, but he’s another big body that the Ravens could roll the dice on without hurting their pockets.
Los Angeles Chargers
For the Chargers, the defense will look dramatically different in the worst possible way. Poona Ford was arguably their best run-stuffer alongside Teair Tart. The good news is that Tart is coming back, but it doesn’t outweigh the cost of losing Ford. The Chargers have been reluctant to get any type of trenches help that is capable of turning them great, despite head coach Jim Harbaugh wanting to win football games with a physical defense.
While Khalil Mack is coming back, they must get someone else to save their defensive unit. It’s not like they don’t have the money for it, and the only addition they made is Da’Shawn Hand, who is more of a journeyman. Billings may never win a starting role for the long term, but the Chargers always do well turning rust into gold.
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers have done phenomenally well, finally fixing their defense after spending last offseason on its offense. Quarterback Bryce Young has help on both sides, especially on the defense, since signing Tershawn Wharton. It’s good news for Derrick Brown’s return and Jadeveon Clowney’s contract year, but someone like Billings could bolster this unit even more.
The post Breaking: Bears Could Trade Fourth Rounder Journeyman appeared first on Last Word on Pro Football.