Is Our New DE Any Good? Breaking Down the Joe Tryon-Shoyinka Trade
The news dropped like a bomb right before the trade deadline: the Bears are acquiring Defensive End Joe Tryon-Shoyinka from the Cleveland Browns. Naturally, the chatter around Halas Hall (and more importantly, my living room) immediately turned to one thing: is this guy actually any good?
My memory’s a little fuzzy, but I definitely recall his name from a few years back. IIRC, he was on that Brady Bucs team that won the Super Bowl, or at least got drafted right after. He had some hype, a first-round pick even, right? I remember him being kinda good, at least for a bit, but then he seemed to fade from the national spotlight.
So, here’s the burning question for us Bears fans: Is he still good? Will he help us now, or is he just a depth piece to fill a hole?
Let’s dive into what we know about Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (JTS).
The “Brady Bucs” Connection: A Look Back
JTS was indeed a highly touted prospect coming out of Washington. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, fresh off their Super Bowl LV victory with Tom Brady, selected him 32nd overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. He wasn’t on the actual Super Bowl-winning roster, but he was the first draft pick after that historic season, brought in to bolster an already fearsome defense.
He showed flashes of potential in Tampa Bay. He started 16 games in 2022, logging 4.0 sacks and 15 QB hits, hinting at the talent that made him a first-rounder. Heβs got the athleticism, the length, and a good motor. When he’s at his best, he can be disruptive.
The Recent Reality: Why the Browns Traded Him
After his initial tenure with the Bucs, JTS was traded to the Cleveland Browns. For whatever reason, it just didn’t click there. This season, he’s played a grand total of 31 defensive snaps for the Browns, registering no sacks. That’s… not ideal. It’s safe to say he wasn’t a key part of their rotation, which is why he was available.
This limited playing time and production are exactly why the question “is he still good?” is so relevant. The guy we remember from the Bucs, the first-round pick, hasn’t been that player recently.
What Does He Bring to Chicago?
Here’s the honest assessment:
* Depth, First and Foremost: Let’s manage expectations. The primary reason for this trade, especially after Dayo Odeyingbo’s season-ending injury, is depth at defensive end. Our pass rush has been inconsistent, and losing a rotational piece like Odeyingbo hurts. JTS steps in to help fill that void immediately.
* A Chance for a Revival: This is the exciting part. Sometimes, a change of scenery is exactly what a player needs. JTS is still only 26 years old, and he has the physical tools. New coaching staff, new defensive scheme, new teammates β maybe Chicago is where he finally puts it all together. Our defensive line coach, and the scheme Matt Eberflus runs, might be a perfect fit for his skillset.
* Pressure Relief: Even if he’s not an every-down monster, having another body who can generate pressure, even occasionally, takes some burden off Yannick Ngakoue and the interior linemen.