Report: Chicago Bears defensive end receives permission to seek trade

It might not draw the same attention as other trade requests around the NFL, but pass rusher Trevis Gipson reportedly has asked for and received permission to seek a trade from the Chicago Bears.

The 26-year-old is entering his fourth NFL season after he was a fifth-round pick (No. 155 overall) in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Bears. He has recorded 10 total sacks over the past two seasons, but his role may have changed this offseason after Chicago signed Yannick Ngakoue to a one-year contract reportedly worth $10.5 million.

Gipson managed just three sacks last season — two in one game against the Green Bay Packers in Week 2 — but had seven in the 2021 campaign.

The Bears seemingly would want to have as many pass rushers as possible after they finished last in the NFL in sacks with a shockingly low 20 last season. Ngakoue had 9.5 sacks for the Indianapolis Colts last season and has had at least eight in each of his seven NFL seasons.

The Bears have not made the playoffs since the 2020 season, but with some improvement under second-year head coach Matt Eberflus, a former defensive coordinator for the Colts, they could become contenders in the NFC North.

The Gipson news comes in the same week that Colts running back Jonathan Taylor was granted permission to seek a trade, with the Bears reportedly one of the teams who may be interested in the one-time All-Pro.

The 24-year-old led the NFL in rushing yards in the 2021 season and has reportedly drawn the interest of multiple other teams, including the Miami Dolphins.

The Bears backfield currently is led by Khalil Herbert, backed up by newcomers D’Onta Foreman, Roschon Johnson and Travis Homer. Former lead back David Montgomery signed with the Detroit Lions this offseason.

The Colts reportedly are looking for a first-round draft pick or package of later-round picks equivalent to one but also may be willing to add a veteran player in exchange for Taylor. Perhaps the Bears can use Gipson’s situation to their advantage in their possible pursuit of the running back.