Let’s be honest for a second. The NFL offseason is basically just one giant, high-stakes game of "what if," and right now, everyone is staring at the Philadelphia Eagles. Specifically, they’re staring at Dallas Goedert. The rumors that the Eagles could trade Dallas Goedert to the Chicago Bears aren't just some random Twitter fever dream; they’re rooted in the cold, hard math of the salary cap and a Philly front office that treats sentimentality like a fumbled snap.
Howie Roseman, the Eagles' GM, is a guy who moves on a year too early rather than a year too late. We saw it with Zach Ertz. We saw it with plenty of others. Now, as we hit the 2026 offseason, the Goedert situation has reached a boiling point. He’s 31 now. He’s still a top-tier weapon, sure, but his contract is a ticking time bomb.
Why the Eagles Could Trade Dallas Goedert to the Chicago Bears Now
The timing is weird, right? Goedert just finished a season where he was arguably the Eagles' most reliable target. He caught 60 passes and hauled in a career-high 11 touchdowns. He was the only guy consistently moving the chains when the rest of the offense looked stuck in the mud. So why trade him?
Money. It always comes down to the money.
Because of how Roseman structures deals with "void years," Goedert is set to carry a massive cap hit in 2026—over $20 million, according to the latest numbers from Spotrac and Over The Cap. He’s technically heading into a void year where his contract expires in February 2026. The Eagles are projected to have about $20 million in total cap space, but they have a massive list of free agents like Reed Blankenship and Jaelan Phillips who need to get paid.
Trading a veteran who is at his peak value is the ultimate "Howie move." If they don't extend him or trade him, that $20 million in dead money just sits there, haunting them.
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The Chicago Connection
Chicago makes a ton of sense, and it’s not just because they need playmakers. Look at the front office. Bears Assistant GM Ian Cunningham was in the Eagles’ building when they drafted Goedert back in 2018. He knows exactly what Goedert brings to a locker room.
The Bears are currently building around Caleb Williams, and while Cole Kmet is a solid player, the Bears’ offense under Ben Johnson—the former Lions guru who took over in Chicago—loves multiple tight end sets. Think back to how Johnson used Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright in Detroit. Now imagine Caleb Williams having a security blanket like Goedert alongside DJ Moore and Rome Odunze. That’s a nightmare for NFC North defensive coordinators.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Trade
Most fans think a trade like this is as simple as "Player A for Draft Pick B." It's not.
If the Eagles could trade Dallas Goedert to the Chicago Bears, it would likely involve a "sign-and-trade" or an immediate extension by Chicago. No team is going to give up a day-two draft pick for a 31-year-old tight end on a one-year rental with a weird cap structure.
Chicago currently projects to be a bit tight on cap space themselves—about $4.3 million over the limit—but they have easy "rip cords" to pull. Restructuring Jaylon Johnson or Cole Kmet would free up the room instantly.
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The Risk for Chicago
Let’s be real: Goedert has an injury history. Before 2025, he struggled to stay on the field for a full season. He played 15 games last year, which was great, but he’s entering the age where tight ends typically fall off a cliff.
- Age: 31 (Turned 31 on Jan 3, 2026)
- Production: 60 catches, 591 yards, 11 TDs (2025 stats)
- Health: 15 games played in 2025 (most since 2021)
Is Chicago willing to bet their future draft capital on a guy who might miss four games a year? Maybe. If it means Caleb Williams takes the "Year 3 Leap" into the MVP conversation, the price might be worth it.
How the Deal Actually Happens
If this goes down, it happens fast. The Eagles need to know their cap situation before the new league year starts in March.
- The Eagles identify a successor: Philly doesn't have a "mini-Goedert" on the roster right now. They’d likely need to eye a veteran free agent like Cade Otton or look at the 2026 Draft (maybe a guy like Kenyon Sadiq if they can get him).
- Chicago offers a Day 2 pick: A 3rd rounder feels like the sweet spot.
- The Extension: Goedert signs a new 3-year deal with Chicago, lowering his 2026 cap hit and giving him some long-term security.
Honestly, the "Bears trading for a veteran" narrative is something we’ve seen before. They’ve been aggressive under Ryan Poles. They want to win while Caleb is on that rookie contract. Goedert is the type of "move" player that turns a good offense into an elite one. He blocks well enough to keep defenses honest and runs routes like a wide receiver.
The Verdict: Will It Happen?
It’s a coin flip. The Eagles just lost in the Wild Card round to the 49ers, and the vibe in Philly is that they need a "refresh." Goedert is their best trade chip.
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If you're a Bears fan, you're salivating at the thought of 12-personnel (two tight ends) with Goedert and Kmet. If you're an Eagles fan, you're probably annoyed because Goedert was the only person who showed up in the playoffs.
But the NFL is a business. A cold, ruthless business.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Monitor the Franchise Tag Deadline: If the Eagles tag someone else, they'll need the Goedert money even more.
- Watch the Assistant GM moves: If more former Eagles staff land in Chicago, the "Philly-to-Chicago" pipeline only gets stronger.
- Check the 2026 Draft Order: If Philly moves up, they might be looking for Goedert's replacement early.
The next few weeks will tell the story. Between the Senior Bowl and the Combine, the chatter about the Eagles could trade Dallas Goedert to the Chicago Bears is only going to get louder. Keep an eye on Howie Roseman's press conferences; when he starts talking about "roster flexibility" and "difficult decisions," that's usually the sign that a star is about to get a one-way ticket out of PHL.
Moving Goedert would be the end of an era in Philadelphia, but for the Bears, it could be the start of a Super Bowl window. It’s all about whether Chicago is willing to pay the "veteran tax" for a player who, when healthy, is a top-five talent at his position.