The Chicago Bears are seriously hurting at cornerback, with three of the top four corners on injured reserve (IR) and Tyrique Stevenson missing last week’s contest against the Baltimore Ravens with a shoulder injury.
The Bears already made one move, signing cornerback C.J. Gardner-Johnson, but that’s likely not the only move the Bears will be making to address the banged-up secondary. Gardner-Johnson will be playing at slot cornerback while Kyler Gordon recovers from injury, Ben Johnson announced.
The Bears still need help at outside cornerback, and ESPN’s Bill Barnwell mentioned how Chicago could look to the New Orleans Saints’ secondary to make a possible reunion with Bears’ defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, who was previously the head coach for the Saints.
“…I wonder if coordinator Dennis Allen would want to look up Alontae Taylor or Isaac Yiadom from his old stomping grounds in New Orleans as a short-term solution.”
With Yiadom playing at the nickel spot for the Saints (the same position the Bears signed Gardner-Johnson to play), the Bears could, and should, be interested in making a trade for Saints’ starting cornerback Alontae Taylor.
Bears Trade Pitch Reunites Alontae Taylor with Dennis Allen
GettyChicago Bears’ defensive coordinator Dennis Allen would know how to maximize Alontae Taylor’s skill set.
Taylor, 26, is a former 2022 second-round pick and has 246 total tackles, six sacks, three forced fumbles, and three interceptions in four seasons with the Saints.
With New Orleans starting the season 1-7, they could have a fire sale and be willing to part ways with young assets, including Taylor. Last season playing under Allen, Taylor had a career year with 89 total tackles, four sacks, two forced fumbles, and 16 pass deflections.
Jaylon Johnson and Terell Smith aren’t coming back anytime soon, and unlike what Barnell said, trading for Taylor could be more than just a “short-term solution.”
Taylor is listed 9th in ESPN’s top 25 players who could be on the move this NFL trade deadline, and here’s what Matt Bowen had to say about the Saints CB:
“Taylor’s versatility and urgent play style shows on the tape. He has the speed to cover on the perimeter, but he can also play a disruptive role in the slot. In four years with the Saints, Taylor has 6 sacks, 3 INTS and 36 pass breakups.”
Taylor is a Swiss Army Knife that can take Allen’s defense to another level.
The Proposed Offer and the Possibility of Trading for Taylor
According to ESPN insiders Adam Schefter and Jeremy Fowler, the Saints aren’t “actively trying to part ways with Taylor,” but are willing to listen to trade offers.
However, it feels like that’s a bluff.
Taylor is set to hit free agency this offseason, and the Saints have a plethora of young players in the secondary, including Kool-Aid McKinstry, Quincy Riley, and Jonas Sanker. If anything, the Saints will be more than happy to get some draft capital in return for a player they likely won’t bring back.
Considering his age, need for a new contract, and production, the Bears should be able to trade a 2025 fifth and 2026 seventh-round pick for Taylor.
It would be a sneaky-good investment for a team that desperately needs help in the secondary.
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