The New Orleans Saints recently placed star right tackle Ryan Ramczyk on the reserve/physically unable to perform list. This move puts Ramczyk out for the entire season since it was decided before the final roster cuts. This leaves the Saints with limited options at tackle, necessitating the need for additional depth. A team like the Chicago Bears has what the Saints need and could look to make a blockbuster trade for a pass rusher.
Bears Should Pursue Trade With NFC Team For Stud Pass Rusher
Overview of the Potential Trade
It’s clear the Saints need help at offensive tackle. With Ramczyk out, second-year tackle Trevor Penning and 2024 first-round pick Taliese Fuaga will be the Saints’ starting offensive tackles. This leaves the Saints lacking depth and potentially looking for a trade partner.
Meanwhile, aside from Montez Sweat, the Bears lack a premier pass rusher capable of generating pressures and sacks on his own. The Bears could trade former fifth-round pick offensive tackle Larry Borom, who would provide a veteran presence for the Saints, along with some draft capital in exchange for one of the league’s more underrated edge rushers.
27-year-old pass rusher Carl Granderson would come to the Bears and be an instant game-changer on defense. The Saints should be comfortable parting with Granderson, given they have veteran pass rushers like Cameron Jordan and Chase Young, as well as promising young players like Isaiah Foskey and Payton Turner.
How This Saints Pass Rusher Will Help the Bears
Carl Granderson had his best statistical season with the Saints last year, recording career highs in total tackles (78) and sacks (8.5). Adding him into the mix could be the missing piece to having an elite defense for the Bears. At 6’5″ and 261 pounds, Granderson is a bigger player with underrated strength. According to PFF, he is also ranked as one of the best pass rushers in the NFL, ranking 28th out of the top 32 pass rushers in the league. Here’s what PFF had to say about Granderson.
“Granderson put together the best two seasons of his career in 2022 and 2023, with overall grades of 80.5 and 74.0, respectively. His run defense has been his calling card, highlighted by grades above 70.0 in each of the past two years. His 62 quarterback pressures in 2023 were by far the most in any single season in his NFL career.”
What’s better than one elite pass rusher? Two! That’s precisely what Sweat and Granderson are: elite pass rushers who excel at producing sacks and stopping the run. Adding Granderson to the mix will instantly help the rest of the Bears’ defense and, in turn, will elevate each player’s game. This is the perfect opportunity for the Bears to contact the Saints and inquire about Granderson’s availability or their entire defensive end group if he isn’t available. If Granderson isn’t available, the Saints might consider an alternative option: trading a younger pass rusher, such as Isaiah Foskey or Payton Turner. Both could be intriguing options for the Bears to add some competition to the defensive end room.
Projected Trade
Bears Receive: Carl Granderson
Saints Receive: Larry Borom, 2025 Third-Round Pick
Main Image: Stephen Lew – USA Today Sports
