The Chicago Bears accomplished their primary objective last week by beefing up their defensive line ahead of the trade deadline. They made a move few saw coming, flipping two 1st round picks to Tennessee for star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. His impact was immediate as Chicago steamrolled the defending champion Seattle Seahawks on Monday Night Football. Nobody would blame Bears general manager Ryan Poles for sitting back and being happy with his work. However, some believe he may have one more move in mind.
For weeks, most assumed that the move was to pry veteran edge rusher Khalil Mack from the Los Angeles Chargers. It made sense. They needed help on the edges, and the 35-year-old is likely hoping to join a team that can compete for a Super Bowl before his career winds down. Unfortunately, his lifeline may no longer be Chicago. According to Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano of ESPN, it’s looking like the Bears have shifted their priorities ahead of the deadline to a more pressing concern.
“The Bears have been linked to edge rushers such as Khalil Mack, but a few league evaluators told me what you heard — that cornerback is becoming more of a need. Tyrique Stevenson Sr. and Jaylon Johnson have had their up-and-down moments this season. And while Malik Muhammad II is flashing, he’s a rookie. Washington’s Mike Sainristil is a name that has circulated this week, though I don’t get the sense the Commanders plan to trade him. An available corner such as the Eagles’ Riq Woolen for a Day 3 pick could make sense.”
The Chicago Bears understand reality.
When one unit goes from a weakness to a strength, it doesn’t make sense to keep piling resources onto that strength. If possible, you would like to address what you now believe is your primary weakness. For the Bears, that position is cornerback. It seems crazy to think about. Not too long ago, many felt it was the team’s biggest strength. That is how fast the NFL can flip on you. Jaylon Johnson is having the worst season of his career. Tyrique Stevenson has been even worse. Kyler Gordon’s return has helped somewhat, but it’s hard to trust he will be around all season with his injury history.
That leaves rookie Malik Muhammad, who was playing well before a turf toe injury sidelined him. There isn’t much stability at the position. This is a massive issue for the Chicago Bears, knowing they have to go through some of the best passing attacks in the NFL to win the division, never mind the conference. Obviously, the team doesn’t have the resources to take another big swing. Still, there has to be a solid veteran out there somewhere they can land for a relatively cheap price.
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Three main options exist at this stage.
Probably the biggest name being batted around the rumor mill is Tariq Woolen. The former 2nd round pick had a productive run with the Seattle Seahawks that culminated in a Super Bowl championship last season. However, his new team, the Philadelphia Eagles, have been really struggling this year. Combine that with his own struggles, and it’s possible both sides feel a trade is in everybody’s best interests. Woolen is 6’4″ and a freak athlete, tailor-made for secondary coach Al Harris.
However, the price tag might be a bit steep for him. The Bears could also look into another former 2nd round pick, Mike Sainristil, in Washington. He’s apparently fallen out of favor with the Commanders after his stellar rookie season. He’s only 26. Maybe he can be salvaged. Then you also have Donte Jackson, a longtime veteran who was still playing well prior to a recent hamstring injury. Chicago has options. Which one, if any, do they feel would be an upgrade over what they have? There are 6 days left to find out.
