The Chicago Bears are weighing trade options for guard Jordan McFadden, a player they claimed off waivers in January after a promising preseason showing. With a crowded guard room, Chicago is evaluating what the market might yield for the 25-year-old lineman.
McFadden is a Clemson product who started three years in college and earned All-ACC honors in his final two seasons. He was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He is finishing the second year of a four-year rookie contract worth 4,152,140, a deal that included a 312,140 signing bonus before he was waived and claimed by the Bears.
In 2024, McFadden appeared in one game for the Chargers and did not start.
A potential trade could help the Bears manage their interior line depth while offering McFadden a fresh opportunity elsewhere. Teams seeking versatile reserve guards with college starting experience might view him as a practical depth option who could develop into a larger role in the right system. For McFadden, a move to a new team could provide a clearer path to playing time and continued NFL development.
Bottom line: With Chicago’s guard room crowded, the team is reportedly exploring what kind of value McFadden might bring on the trade market, while McFadden himself continues to pursue opportunities to earn a larger role in the league.
Summary: A 25-year-old Clemson alum with limited NFL action but solid college pedigree, McFadden’s next step could come via a trade that unlocks both the Bears’ roster flexibility and his chance to contribute more consistently elsewhere.
Positive note: McFadden’s ongoing NFL journey as a young, proven college starter gives him a real chance to land with a scheme that fits his strengths, potentially boosting his professional trajectory.