The Chicago Bears missed the mark by signing former Tennessee Titans right guard Nate Davis to a three-year, $30 million contract during the 2023 offseason. He hasn’t lived up to expectations, constantly missing practices during the offseason, and has dealt with a plethora of injuries since joining the Bears. Leading up to the game against the Indianapolis Colts, Davis was listed as questionable due to a groin injury, prompting the Bears to start backup Matt Pryor at right guard. While Pryor performed reasonably well, he isn’t viewed as a long-term solution. A potential answer for the Bears could be Baltimore Ravens right guard Daniel Faalele, who might be a trade target.
Bears Could Trade for Ravens Daniel Faalele to Fortify O-Line
Why a Daniel Faalele Trade Makes Sense for the Bears
Daniel Faalele stands at 6’8″ and weighs 380 pounds, making him a massive presence up front—exactly what the Bears need to bolster their offensive line. Center Coleman Shelton isn’t going to be the long-term option. However, he’s all the Bears have right now and thrives when surrounded by bigger bodies. And although Matt Pryor is also huge at 6’7″ and 332 pounds, he’s 29 years old and on the older side.
On the other hand, Faalele is only 24 years old and has a long career ahead of him. Coming out of the University of Minnesota, Faalele was many Bears fans’ draft crush, and rightfully so. Despite his enormous size, Faalele possesses remarkable quickness and explosiveness, making him highly effective at neutralizing defenders.
After a rough start to the season, Faalele rebounded with a strong performance against the Dallas Cowboys last week. Transitioning positions in the NFL is challenging, but Faalele has shown steady improvement with each game since switching from tackle to guard. Incorporating him into the Bears’ offense could provide a much-needed boost to their struggling offensive line.
The prospect of having Teven Jenkins at left guard, a new center—either through the draft or free agency—and Faalele on the right side should give Bears fans plenty to look forward to.
A sampling of Daniel Faalele snaps vs. Cowboys:
Drops weight and drives D-lineman back on Henry TD run
Picks up stunt, giving Lamar time for Bateman TD pass
Quick off snap, walls off two Cowboys defenders on backside
Gets out in front on game-sealing Lamar run pic.twitter.com/v34EA1iFsi
— Ryan Mink (@ryanmink) September 23, 2024
Why Should the Ravens Consider the Trade?
The Ravens boast some of the best offensive line depth in the NFL. Josh Jones is a competent offensive tackle; Ben Cleveland brings immense physicality at 6’6″ and 360 pounds, and 2024 second-round pick Roger Rosengarten appears to be the future at tackle. With such a strong offensive line, the Ravens could capitalize by trading one of their linemen to a desperate team, like the Bears, in exchange for valuable draft capital.
There have been reports that the Ravens might move starting right tackle Patrick Mekari to right guard, potentially taking Faalele out of the starting lineup. If that happens, trading Faalele wouldn’t be a significant loss for the Ravens. It would open the door for Rosengarten to step in and prove that his impressive preseason performance was no fluke. The Ravens have a proven track record when it comes to drafting elite offensive linemen—names like Orlando Brown Jr., Ronnie Stanley, and Tyler Linderbaum are just a few examples of the talent they’ve developed.
For the Bears, the time is now to improve in the trenches.
Potential Trade Details
Chicago Bears Receive: Daniel Faalele
Baltimore Ravens Receive: 2025 Third-Round Pick
Main Image: Kevin Jairaj – USA Today Sports
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