NFL free agency starts next week, but it sure felt like the NFL offseason cranked up to on Wednesday.

We saw the Bears trade for two-time All-Pro offensive lineman Joe Thuney in the morning. Maxx Crosby got a mega-extension. Zac Baun got paid in Philly and Saquon Barkley had two years added to his deal. Jonathan Allen might get cut or traded by the Commanders. And there was some upheaval in Seattle, with the Seahawks cutting Tyler Lockett and getting a formal trade request from DK Metcalf.

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That’s, you know, a lot.

The Bears proved this week that they’re willing to make a deal. Ryan Poles has always been that way, most notably in the Bryce Young trade that garnered Caleb Williams and a bunch of other picks and players. We saw that again with Chicago getting Thuney and Jonah Jackson.

Would they be so bold and go get another star? Metcalf would fit virtually anywhere, considering his talent, speed and physical prowess, though the Bears have already invested heavily in the receiver position, with a big-money contract extension going to DJ Moore and the No. 9 overall pick used on Rome Odunze.

Some Thursday reports suggested the Seahawks are looking for a first-round pick and a third-rounder, which is way too steep to consider.

Metcalf’s in a walk year, with just one legitimate year remaining on his deal. The Bears aren’t really in rental mode at this point. They’re building up the core and depth of their roster, and would probably have to give draft capital to Seattle and a contract to Metcalf.

While anytihng’s possible, that doesn’t seem like an ideal scenario for a Bears team with talent a receiver but probably in need of someone who can play from the slot. That might be a value play as well, considering how much they’re paying along the offensive front and at other positions. There’s also a need to extend slot cornerback Kyle Gordon at some point in the near future.

While Metcalf might not be a perfect fit, Allen might work on the Bears front. Reports indicate that the Commanders would like to trade the veteran defensive lineman but would consider cutting him if it came to that. He’s set to make $15.5 million this season, plus the Bears have Gervon Dexter working inside while playing decently well on a rookie contract.

The Bears have shown a willingness to go for big-name players and make the trades required to land them, but they need flash off the edge more than anything else, which can be found both in free agency and the NFL Draft.

It’s hard to say either of the stars discussed here are ideal, but we’ll see lots of names come free as teams work to get under the salary cap before the new league year starts next week.