When news broke that All-Pro edge Micah Parsons was suddenly a Green Bay Packer, every other team in the NFC — particularly those in the NFC North — took a big gut punch.
On the surface, it looks like the kind of move that can tip a divisional race overnight—an MVP-caliber defender joining a rival fresh off an 11-win season. But the real story in Chicago isn’t about what the Packers did, but about what the Bears didn’t do.
Staying out of the Parsons sweepstakes wasn’t necessarily a sign of weakness or indecision by general manager Ryan Poles. It was a calculated choice — and one that speaks to Chicago’s current financial reality and the pragmatism of the team’s first-year head coach.
In fact, in an August 29 post on X, Bears insider Jeff Hughes (aka Da Bears Blog) suggested it was new head coach Ben Johnson who nixed a trade for Parsons.
Why the Ben Johnson & the Chicago Bears Likely Didn’t Try to Trade for Micah Parsons
The price Green Bay just paid to Parsons is likely the primary reason Johnson wasn’t interested. Green Bay gave up stalwart veteran Kenny Clark plus 2026 and 2027 first-rounders in exchange for Parsons. Then, the Packers signed him to a four-year, $188 million extension with $120 million guaranteed.
With the Bears pressed right up against the 2025 cap (they have roughly $1.5 million in space as of this week), parachuting in Parsons would’ve required the sacrifice of future premium picks that Poles needs to keep building around Caleb Williams.
It’s also fair to say that their NFC North rivals have assumed some very real risk. The Packers not only gave up two future firsts; they also shipped out Clark—their interior anchor—to make the trade work.
Even if the addition of Parsons raises Green Bay’s ceiling, there’s no guarantee the Packers will be Super Bowl regulars with him in the lineup. The Bears, meanwhile, retain their draft flexibility to address premium needs over the next two springs instead of rebuilding the roster around one megadeal. That’s a different type of discipline than the splash Chicago tried in 2018 when the team traded the farm for Khalil Mack.
Bears Pass Rush Still Unproven Heading Into 2025
GettyBears head coach Ben Johnson reportedly nixed the idea of a Micah Parsons trade, according to DBB.
Heading into the regular season, depth on the edge is a definite issue for the Bears. Montez Sweat remains the lead dog, but he logged just 5.5 sacks in 2024. The Bears signed Dayo Odeyingbo, who will split snaps between 5T/edge, but neither showed much in preseason action.
In Chicago’s preseason finale against Kansas City, both starters failed to hurry Patrick Mahomes on three straight scoring drives before the backups rallied. The Bears also just placed promising second-year edge Austin Booker on IR, so they could use a third edge with real get-off to help out.
And yes — the new guy across the border matters a great deal. Parsons has led the league in pass-rush win-rate metrics the past two seasons and drew a massive 31.5% double-team rate in 2024. The Bears won’t be able to sign anyone near as good or dominant, but they need to add some depth, stat.
“There’s more levels to just grabbing the talent and bring it in,” Bears general manager Ryan Poles said when asked if the team will bring in more pass rushers, via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
“There’s some impact things that happen in your locker room and on the field and your salary cap that, yeah, he could give you a little burst of energy, but long term, does it make sense for you or is it going to be a derailer down the road when you’re trying to sustain?”
With Parsons and Trey Hendrickson off the table as trade possibilities, Poles and company have to look elsewhere for answers.
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