The Chicago Bears made a significant move to strengthen their pass rush by acquiring linebacker Darrell Taylor from the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a sixth-round pick in 2025. Taylor, a second-round pick in 2020, missed his entire rookie season due to a leg fracture that required surgery. However, since the start of the 2021 season, he has shown his potential by recording 21.5 sacks in 49 games, with 13 of them as a starter. Bears head coach Matt Eberflus expressed his excitement about adding Taylor to the team, highlighting his sack production and pass-rushing abilities that align well with the team’s defensive scheme.
The Bears’ pursuit of an edge rusher to complement Pro Bowler Montez Sweat was well-documented in the recent episode of HBO’s “Hard Knocks.” Initially, the team had considered trading for Matthew Judon from the New England Patriots but backed out of the deal due to the inability to reach an agreement on a contract extension with the veteran linebacker. Consequently, the Bears turned their attention to Darrell Taylor, who seemed like a better fit for the team’s defensive needs. Taylor’s base salary of $3.116 million for the upcoming season may have been a deciding factor in the Seahawks’ willingness to part ways with him.
Despite facing some challenges, including difficulties defending the run, Taylor showcased his skills during the 2023 season with the Seahawks. In 17 games, he contributed 5.5 sacks, seven tackles for loss, and eight quarterback hits while playing 44% of the team’s defensive snaps. Chicago hopes that Taylor’s experience and production will help improve their pass rush, which struggled to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks last season. With the addition of Taylor, the Bears aim to elevate their defensive line’s performance and increase their sack percentage, which ranked as the lowest in the league in the previous campaign.
For the Seahawks, this trade with the Bears marks the second deal within a short timeframe, following the trade of cornerback Michael Jackson to the Carolina Panthers for rookie inside linebacker Michael Barrett. These moves indicate Seattle’s commitment to reshaping their roster and making strategic decisions to optimize their cap space. By offloading Taylor’s contract, the Seahawks free up valuable cap room, leaving only his $20,000 signing bonus as dead money on their financial books.
The trade between the Bears and the Seahawks involving Darrell Taylor is a significant transaction that could have implications for both teams’ defensive performances in the upcoming season. While the Bears hope that Taylor will enhance their pass rush and improve their overall defensive capabilities, the Seahawks have strategically managed their roster and financial resources through this trade. Only time will tell how this deal will impact the fortunes of both organizations on the field.