The Chicago Bears did it! They got their first win! A superhuman Justin Fields means they don't have to tank anymore. And they're actually using D.J. Moore?! Cue the celebrations ... or not.
Despite their 40-20 win against the Washington Commanders, the Bears have still dug themselves a 1-4 hole and may not be able to salvage their season by the NFL trade deadline on October 31.
In the next three weeks, the Bears will play the Vikings, Raiders, and Chargers, all offensively dangerous teams who could send Chicago spiraling down a 1-7 hole.
If the Bears decide in October that they want to rebuild (again), they may be able to get some valuable draft capital in return for these players.
Here are three Bears who could find new homes midseason.
3. Chase Claypool, WR
We're going to pick the low-hanging fruit first.
Claypool's public saga with the Bears is well-documented. The wideout outcast hasn't practiced with the team since before Week 4, and he was a healthy scratch for the team's loss to the Broncos.
Put it this way -- his own franchise is telling him to stay away from the team. Claypool clearly crossed a line whether it was his lazy blocking or cocky attitude, and the Bears don't seem to be in a forgiving mood right now.
Claypool was dealt to the Bears last year for a second-rounder. Now, the most Chicago might get out of him is a fifth- or sixth-round pick. We have no idea what team will take a wide receiver who's turned from a high-upside threat to persona non grata at Halas Hall, but maybe some desperate team will bite.
Even if Ryan Poles can't find a trade partner, the Bears seem more inclined to release him than keep him. Come October 31, Claypool is not going to be a Bear.
2. D'Onta Foreman, RB
There's a name you haven't heard all season. Ever since the Bears signed D'Onta Foreman to a one-year, $3 million deal, the ex-Panthers running back has ridden the bench.
Foreman has only played one game this season and recorded five carries for 16 yards. He was made inactive prior to Week 5's win, which would suggest the Bears like their running back room of Khalil Herbert, Roschon Johnson, and Travis Homer.
All three of those backs are currently dealing with some kind of injury, so the Bears may call up Foreman in the coming weeks to share some snaps out of the backfield.
Assuming the running back corps returns to full health, Foreman feels like an afterthought to a Bears rushing attack that's already spearheaded by dual-threat Justin Fields.
We saw Rams' Cam Akers get traded to Minnesota earlier this season, and it's not preposterous to think Foreman would get the same treatment, too. Last year in Carolina, Foreman finished with 914 yards and five touchdowns averaging 4.5 yards per carry. He singlehandedly kept the Panthers in the running for a division title late in the regular season, and he could do the same for another RB-needy team in 2023.
1. Jaylon Johnson, CB
Cornerback Jaylon Johnson exists in a limbo period in Chicago right now. On one hand, he's been playing well at the start of the season. No huge gaffes, solid coverage, an overall reliable starter-caliber in the backfield. Is he on the level of other franchise guys like Fields, Moore, Cole Kmet, and T.J. Edwards? Ehh ... not sure. Could go either way.
Heading into Week 5, Johnson has allowed a 45.5 percent pass completion rate when targeted and has one pass breakup but no interceptions. Those stats are nothing to write home about, but plenty of Bears fans will still think Johnson deserves to get paid.
The 2020 second-rounder could still command something in the ballpark of a second-round pick given his age, health, and production level. After playoff contenders like the Cowboys and Bills suffered injury-related blows to their elite defenses early this season, either one may give Ryan Poles a call this month about Johnson.
If the Bears still only have one win at that point, the answer feels fairly obvious: Trade him. Rebuild. Try again next year.
