00:00We've all heard the rumors the Bears are on the lookout for ways to improve the defense
00:04and there's one name that keeps popping up. That name? Von Miller, a NFL veteran,
00:10two-time Super Bowl champion and seven-time Pro Bowl selection. But does adding Miller to the
00:17roster make sense? Let's dive into why some people are urging the Bears to make this trade
00:23and whether it would actually help them take that next step in the NFC North.
00:28Before we get into the Von Miller talk, let's take a step back and look at the bigger picture.
00:33The Chicago Bears are in a great position to make a jump in 2025. General Manager Ryan Poles and
00:41Head Coach Ben Johnson have made it clear they're not afraid to be aggressive this offseason and
00:46that's something Bears fans should be excited about. The Bears have already made some big moves.
00:52Just recently, Poles traded for two experienced guards, Jonah Jackson from the Los Angeles Rams
00:58and Joe Thune from the Kansas City Chiefs. These trades are massive for the offensive line.
01:06Both of these players will provide much-needed protection for second-year quarterback Caleb
01:11Williams, who is going to be the future of this franchise. Improving the offensive line is key
01:18because it will help Williams develop and it will also give the Bears a stronger chance to compete.
01:24But there's more to the story. While the offensive line is getting stronger,
01:27the defense still needs help. The Bears have made some progress on defense but they still
01:32don't have that dominant game-changing pass rusher that can take over a game.
01:36Enter Von Miller. This is where the conversation gets interesting. Now let's talk about Von Miller.
01:44He's a household name for a reason. Miller is one of the most accomplished pass rushers in NFL history.
01:50He's made seven Pro Bowls, won two Super Bowls and even took home the Super Bowl MVP award with
01:56the Denver Broncos. Miller has been a force for over a decade and his leadership, toughness and
02:02ability to change the course of a game are what make him so appealing to the Bears. But here's
02:07the thing. Miller isn't the same guy he once was. He's 35 years old now and he's dealt with a string
02:13of injuries that have kept him from playing at the elite level we saw earlier in his career.
02:18In the past three seasons, Miller has posted just 14 sacks combined, which is a far cry from the
02:24seasons when he was racking up double-digit sacks every year. Despite that, there's still reason to
02:30believe that Miller could be an asset to the Bears. Why? Because even though he's no longer
02:35the dominant pass rusher he once was, he's still capable of making an impact. He's still got that
02:41veteran savvy and he knows how to get to the quarterback. But more importantly, he could bring
02:48some much-needed experience and leadership to a defensive line that's still figuring out its
02:53identity. Now, let's talk about what the Bears would need to give up for Miller. The good news
02:59here is that the Buffalo Bills the team Miller currently plays for might be looking to release
03:03him. That could open the door for a trade. If the Bears were able to land Miller, it might not cost
03:09them much. We're talking about potentially sending a mid-round draft pick, maybe a sixth-round pick,
03:16in exchange for Miller. For a team like the Bears, who have plenty of cap space and are in need of
03:22pass rush help, this could be a no-brainer. Speaking of cap space, let's take a look at
03:27the financials. The Bears are sitting on a ton of cap space, about $80 million. That's right,
03:33$80 million in available funds. So when it comes to bringing in players like Miller,
03:38they've got more than enough room to make it work. Miller's contract still has a cap hit of
03:43about $8,400,000 for 2025. That's not an insignificant amount of money, but it's not a
03:50deal-breaker for the Bears either. They have the flexibility to absorb that contract without
03:56putting their future plans in jeopardy. The question is, is Von Miller worth that $8,400,000?
04:02At 35 with injury concerns, is it worth paying that much for a rotational pass rusher?
04:10That's a tricky question, and it really depends on how the Bears view Miller's role on the team.
04:15If they see him as a situational pass rusher who can still contribute in short bursts,
04:20then maybe paying him that amount makes sense. But if they're hoping for a full-time starter,
04:26it's a different story. Now, let's talk about the pass rush situation in Chicago.
04:31Last season, the Bears were 29th in the league in sacks. That's not going to cut it if they want
04:36to compete with the best in the NFC North. They need more pressure on the quarterback,
04:41and that's why adding a player like Miller could be crucial. But it's not just about having a guy
04:46who can get to the quarterback. It's about having a guy who can create opportunities for others on
04:53the defensive line. And that's where Miller could make a real impact. While he may not be the
04:58explosive force he once was, he still knows how to disrupt the quarterback's timing, force errant
05:03throws, and open up lanes for other pass rushers. Pairing Miller with Montez Sweat, who was acquired
05:09by the Bears last season, could give the Bears one of the more experienced and well-rounded
05:13pass rush duos in the league. Sweat is young and explosive, but adding a veteran like Miller
05:18would give the Bears the balance they need to have a successful pass rush rotation.
05:23But the question remains, is Miller the right guy for the Bears' long-term plans?
05:28While he could be an asset in the short term, the Bears need to think about the future as well.
05:34The NFL is a young man's league, and Miller, while experienced, might not be the long-term
05:39answer. The Bears might also want to explore other pass rush options, either through the draft or free
05:45agency, that could provide them with a younger, more explosive player who could grow alongside
05:51their defense. Another factor that can't be ignored is Miller's injury history. Over the
05:56past few years, he's dealt with a number of injuries, including a torn ACL in 2021 that
06:01kept him out for the majority of the season. While he's shown he can still play at a high level when
06:06healthy, it's fair to wonder how much longer he can stay healthy at his age. The Bears will need
06:11to take that into consideration when deciding whether to pull the trade on a trade. If the
06:16Bears do trade for Von Miller, what does that mean for the team? First and foremost, it would
06:22give the Bears a veteran presence on the defensive line. A player who has been there, done that, and
06:26knows what it takes to win in the NFL. Miller would instantly become a leader in the locker
06:31room, someone who could mentor the younger pass rushers and provide guidance as they continue to
06:36develop. But more importantly, Miller could provide the Bears with the kind of impact they need in
06:42critical moments. In big games, you need players who can step up and make plays when the stakes
06:48are highest. Miller has proven time and time again that he can do that. If the Bears are going to make
06:54a playoff run in 2025, they need a player like Miller who can change the course of a game with
07:01one big play. So what should the Bears do? Is trading for Von Miller the right move? It's a
07:07tough decision, but here's what I'll say. The Bears are in a great position right now. They've
07:12got cap space, they've got draft picks, and they've got a young quarterback in Caleb Williams who looks
07:18poised to lead this team for years to come. Adding Von Miller could be the missing piece in their
07:25defensive puzzle, but they've got to be smart about it. If they can get him for the right price and
07:31use him in a role that suits his skill set, it could pay off in a big way. But the Bears also
07:36have other options. They need to continue to be aggressive in the pass rusher market, whether it's
07:41through trades, free agency, or the draft. This offseason is shaping up to be an exciting one,
07:47and Bears fans have every reason to believe that 2025 could be the year we finally see this team
07:53compete at the highest level. What do you think, Bears fans? Should the Bears trade for Von Miller?
07:58Let me know in the comments below, and don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell
08:03so you don't miss any of our coverage of the Bears offseason moves. We're just getting started.
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