As training camp and the preseason gets set to wrap up in the coming days, the Detroit Lions will begin to really focus in on some potential signings around the league. Once teams cut down their rosters to 53, there will be plenty of options to help shore up different spots on the team.
But, why not take a shot on someone before cuts are made, just to make sure you get them? And, even better... why not look at an old friend in Ben Johnson's Chicago Bears?
OK, maybe "friend" is used loosely here, depending on where you stand.
Regardless, the Bears might have a couple of players worth looking at if the Lions wanted to shore up some depth.
3 Bears players the Lions could try to pluck from Ben Johnson's Bears
Kyler Gordon, CB
Let's start with the most polarizing player on the Bears' roster, right now. For those who may not know, starting nickel Kyler Gordon has yet to come back to the practice field at all this year after dealing with multiple injuries last season.
Ben Johnson continues to sound more and more annoyed with Gordon's situation, as does their defensive coordinator, Dennis Allen. Both coaches essentially spoken on the fact that they cannot even think about Gordon right now because they have to focus on the players who are in the building and able to practice.
That doesn't sound like he's in their plans.
Now, this is a massive "if," but if Gordon comes back healthy, he is 100 percent worth taking a shot on. The Lions need help in their secondary and Gordon does have experience playing outside, earlier in his career and in college. So, the versatility is there.
But, when healthy, he is a game-changing type of player. Would the Bears accept a fifth-round pick in order to just move on?
Roschon Johnson, RB
No matter what, there will always be questions around Isiah Pacheco and whether or not he's able to hold up, health-wise. If it isn't questions around health, it's simply whether or not he can still be a factor for a full season.
If the Lions wanted to go with some untapped potential as the thunder, or "Knuckles" type, then Roschon Johnson might be worth a flier. A former quarterback who possesses a bigger, bruising body with the ability to catch passes, Johnson still hasn't been unlocked in Chicago. He might be on the outside looking in, too, if Salvon Ahmed continues to have a good showing.
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Johnson may also be cut when all is said and done. But, as of right now, he's the Bears' RB3. Johnson is two years younger than Pacheco and has way more tread on his tires. I get the Lions signed Pacheco, but the money is minimal ($1.81 million) and Johnson could end up giving this offense much more of a boost.
I would assume the Bears wouldn't need more than a conditional sixth rounder for the former fourth-round pick out of Texas.
Jamree Kromah, DE
This could end up being as entertaining a situation as any, for Lions fans. The Bears just signed Marcus Davenport because of their need for depth in the room. But, they saw Jamree Kromah come out of absolutely nowhere in their preseason game against the Browns. Kromah finished with six tackles (five solo), three tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks.
Going undrafted in 2024 out of James Madison, Kromah has spent time with the Bears and Patriots but has yet to appear in a regular season game.
It would be poetic if the Bears decided to keep Davenport in the place of someone like Kromah, but it could be even sweeter if the Lions noticed Kromah's ascension and sent over a conditional late-round pick for the third-year pro.
To add a rotational pass rusher starting to flash and develop, for a late Day 3 pick, and from your division rival nonetheless, would be quite the turn of events -- and it could pay off.
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