We’ve previously noted that the Chicago Bears are shopping defensive end Alex Brown and that the Seattle Seahawks aren’t likely to keep restricted free agent guard Rob Sims. Now there’s a report that the two could be trading places.
Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune reports, citing an unnamed league source, that Brown could be traded for Sims.
Per Pompei, Sims is not a great fit the zone blocking scheme the new coaching staff in Seattle is installing, but is the kind of lineman new Bears offensive line coach Mike Tice likes. Sims, who started 14 games in Seattle last year, was a fourth-round pick of then-Seahawks General Manager Tim Ruskell in 2006. Ruskell is expected to join the Bears’ front office this year.
Brown seems to be the odd man out in Chicago now that the Bears have acquired defensive end Julius Peppers. The Seahawks could use him after trading defensive end Darryl Tapp to the Eagles.
When Tapp was traded, he first signed his tender with the Seahawks and then reached a new deal with the Eagles. A similar arrangement would make sense with Sims and the Bears.