It sounds like a pipe dream and probably is, but the Chicago Bears thought Jay Cutler was a pipe dream too. As pass rusher Chris Clemons digs in for a holdout could the Bears find room for him to play opposite Julius Peppers?
Seattle Seahawks latest NFL extension offer rejected by Clemons
Bringing down the quarterback 22 times in two seasons gives a player good reason to think he deserves more money. After all pass rushers are one of the most sought after prizes in the NFL and history shows whichever teams have the most win championships. The Seattle Seahawks know this too well which explains why they drafted Bruce Irvin far earlier than experts thought he should go. Irvin, for all his law-related problems was still considered the best pure pass rusher in the draft. Seattle had hoped putting him on the defensive front with breakout star Chris Clemons would give the Seahawks an edge over the division champion San Francisco 49ers. The only person who has made that hard is Clemons himself. The Seahawks haven't offered him the money he thinks he's earned and continues to hold out of minicamps to prove it. At this point Seattle can either offer more money per year or risk him hitting free agency next season. One last resort they might have is trading him first.
Clemons would free Peppers and ease pressure on Shea McClellin
Chicago Bears fans have had their fill of NFL trades. In order to get Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall, the team gave up five total draft picks. They had hoped new GM Phil Emery would start building for future success through the draft. It's a strategy that has worked for powerhouses like Pittsburgh, New England and Green Bay for years. The trouble is a talent like Clemons could not only fuel a 2012 Super Bowl run but also set the bedrock for defense after All-Pros Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs are gone. Clemons would instantly give Julius Peppers several one-on-one matchups against opposing offenses. If the Pro Bowl defensive end managed 11 sacks with constant double teams, the idea of single blocking Peppers would terrorize quarterbacks. Another bonus for Chicago is Clemons would take over at left defensive end, creating a roster shift that benefits the team in two ways. It would take pressure off rookie Shea McClellin to get on the field too fast and risk his confidence getting shaken, not that coaches think that would happen. The second effect would come from the team sliding veteran Israel Idonije back to defensive tackle, thus giving them more depth at a needed roster spot.
The Seattle Seahawks can't afford to let Chris Clemons walk but if they're cornered they may have to trade him. Phil Emery wants the Chicago Bears built through the draft but he can't ignore a chance to give Julius Peppers and Shea McClellin all the help they can get.
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