The Chicago Bears’ defense is not in a good way right now. Injuries have hammered them at every angle through the first seven games. All four of their top cornerbacks missed last week. Three of them are on Injured Reserve. That necessitated the team signing veteran C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Although a known head case at times, he’s a quality defensive back who should provide much-needed stability in the secondary. However, the problems with the defensive line remain unaddressed. Shemar Turner tore his ACL and is done for the season. Dominique Robinson is out with a high ankle sprain. While Austin Booker returning is good news, the Bears still have serious depth concerns.
That is why they might not be done adding help. Sources informed SM that GM Ryan Poles is monitoring two names on the trade market ahead of the November 4th deadline. One is veteran edge rusher Arden Key, currently with the Tennessee Titans. The former 3rd round pick played well over the past two seasons with 12.5 sacks, but has battled some injuries this year and plays on a bad team. He needs a fresh start elsewhere. The other name is Boye Mafe. A former 2nd round pick, he looked like a foundational piece for the Seattle Seahawks with 15 sacks over the past two seasons.
He’s gone silent this year, getting blanked in seven games. He does have 21 pressures, though, which is third on the team.
The Chicago Bears are likely waiting for the asking prices to drop.
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN has said that the edge market remains stalled because teams are demanding too much. That is expected to change after this weekend when the deadline comes into view. Key and Mafe are both free agents next year. Whoever trades for them will basically be renting their services for the remaining nine games of the season. No team will give up a high draft choice for that.
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When discussing who might be the preferred option, it is probably Mafe. He’s 20 lbs heavier than Key. Though he isn’t known for being a good run defender, he at least poses a slightly bigger obstacle. He’s also three years younger. Will Seattle trade him? They’re currently in line to make the playoffs. Trading away one of your pass rushers seems awfully bold. Then again, weird stuff happens in this league all the time. Either way, the Chicago Bears can’t afford to turn their noses up at help.
