The Chicago Bears tried but ultimately came up short in their efforts to trade up during the 2025 NFL Draft. The Bears have seemingly moved on from the idea of adding a proven veteran to their running back room, but a recent appearance from New Orleans Saints star Alvin Kamara has stirred the pot.
Kamara, who played for Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen his entire career in New Orleans, was in Chicago and stopped by Wrigley Field to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
The pitch was a dud, but Kamara piqued the interest of Bears fans, to be sure.
Alvin Kamara Sparks Bears Trade Speculation With Wrigley Field Appearance
Bears Fans Eye Trade After Alvin Kamara Appearance
Bears fans began to clamor for a trade as the clip of Kamara made the rounds on social media, some even suggesting potential packages to bring the five-time Pro Bowler and former Offensive Rookie of the Year to Chicago.
Kamara, who turns 30 later this month, is under contract with New Orleans through 2026.
Moreover, Kamara, the former No. 67 overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft, signed a two-year, $24.5 million contract extension wth the Saints in October 2024. A trade now would save the Saints $3 million but incur a $7.1 million penalty.
The most fiscally responsible path for the Saints is to wait to trade Kamara, to the Bears or otherwise, until 2026, when they would save $11.5 million with a $7.1 million dead cap hit.
Bears Go Quiet After Post-Draft Trade Intel
Bears general manager Ryan Poles passed on opportunities like Nick Chubb, who signed with the Houston Texans in free agency. Likewise for J.K. Dobbins and the Denver Broncos.
However, the Bears’ previous trade interest did not include Kamara.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported in May that the Bears were linked to free agents and a trade during the draft, a notion seemingly corroborated by behind-the-scenes footage from the New England Patriots.
They ultimately passed on pushing for a trade, and did not see the proper value in free agency, leaving them to roll with D’Andre Swift atop the depth chart.
Bears head coach Ben Johnson was part of the Detroit Lions team that traded Swift in 2023.
“I … think very highly of him. He’s an explosive athlete. There’s a number of things that he can do, both in the running game and the passing game. I do think he can help ignite an offense because he’s got that playmaking ability,” Johnson told reporters in February. “It’ll be fun to start to work together again here this springtime with him.”
Behind Swift, the Bears have 2023 fifth-round pick Roschon Johnson, veteran Travis Homer, rookie seventh-round pick Kyle Monangai, and undrafted free agents Ian Wheeler (2024) and Deion Hankins (2025).
That is a precariously thin group to enter the season, and even training camp with, given the energy put into finding other options via a draft trade and free agency this offseason.