The Chicago Bears haven’t made any moves ahead of the trade deadline yet. That is no surprise. It is still another month before that becomes a factor. There is no reason to jump the gun on anything. Things are going well for them. They’re 3-1 with an offense that is clicking without its starting quarterback and a defense playing far better than expected. They want to see just how good this team is. If it continues winning, general manager Ryan Poles may decide the time is right for a calculated swing at the deadline.
As always, it comes down to who is or isn’t available. Best estimates indicate the Bears will likely be hunting for pass rush help. Marcus Davenport just retired, and Shemar Turner still hasn’t returned from his torn ACL last season. Will there be any viable options available? Jeremy Fowler of ESPN thinks so. Based on what he’s heard, there is a strong possibility that several prominent names could be on the move next month. A few of them should absolutely interest the Bears.
After talking to teams Tuesday, it’s worth watching defensive linemen on the trade front over the next month. The Arizona Cardinals fended off any Josh Sweat trade interest over the summer, intent on keeping him. Perhaps that changes closer to the Nov. 10 trade deadline. Teams will have interest in Sweat, 29, as well as many other rushers on teams with losing records. The Chargers’ Khalil Mack, Jets’ Will Macdonald IV and Tennessee’s Jermaine Johnson II are among rushers who could attract interest in the coming weeks.
The Chicago Bears must decide how aggressive they want to be.
Of that group, Sweat is probably the player most teams will desire the most. He is still in his prime and coming off a 2025 season in which he recorded 12 sacks. He’s off to a slower start this year, but remains a dangerous presence. He also has the size and length that Dennis Allen usually prefers at defensive end. Throw in his decent contract, and it feels like a sweet setup. In situations like that, you typically have many teams going after the player, making him more expensive to acquire.
If the Chicago Bears want to take a calculated gamble on somebody who’s still young and developing, then Will McDonald is the guy. He has 18.5 sacks over the past two years, and just turned 27 in June. He’s on the thinner side at 245 lbs, but the pass rush skills are impossible to ignore.
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Johnson would be cheaper since he hasn’t really produced much since his Pro Bowl season in 2023. Injuries played a part in that. Conversely, if the Bears are looking for a one-year rental who still has some juice left, then a reunion with Mack is the easy choice. He has 3 sacks this season and played for Allen in 2014.
Price tag will be key.
Poles has never given up more than a 2nd round pick for a player in any trade since taking over the Bears in 2022. That feels like the ceiling for any deal that could happen over the next few weeks. McDonald and Sweat may command somewhere around that price, while Mack and Johnson will be less expensive. Given what we know about this regime, they will most likely go hunting for a Joe Thuney-type deal. Add a highly proven player who looks to have some tread still on the tires and acquire them for a mid-round pick.
Mack is the one who fits that profile. Maybe another prominent vet emerges on the market as well. Either way, the Bears will have options to choose from. They must do their part and remain competitive enough to justify such a deal. Fans should keep an eye on Halloween. It should be clear by then whether the circumstances are right for a trade to happen.
