The Bears' preferred trade partner for a $20 million Pro Bowl edge rusher

Trades within divisions are uncommon, but new faces in the executive offices of the Chicago Bears

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and Minnesota Vikings might change that — especially if the deal benefits all parties.

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If the Bears want to break.500 in the second year of the franchise's rebuild, they'll need more help pressuring the passer.

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The Vikings are paying between $17 and $20 million for Danielle Hunter, an outside linebacker who does not look to be part of the team's long-term future.

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Before Chicago signed Yannick Ngakoue and Hunter and the Vikings were mired in a contract dispute, a trade in which the Bears sent their 2024

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second-round pick to Minnesota in return for Hunter made sense. It makes sense even now.In 2022, Chicago finished last in the NFL in sack production,

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The acquisitions of Ngakoue and DaMarcus Walker bring 16.5 sacks from last season to the equation, raising the Bears' pass-rush floor but not establishing an elite ceiling.

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The Vikings increased Hunter's salary to $17 million guaranteed and $20 million with incentives in a one-year contract extension,

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but second-year general manager Kwesi Adofo Mensah added zero years to the OLB's contract.

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That choice reveals a lot about the front office's thoughts on Hunter's future in Minnesota.

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