Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles has seen several bitrade opportunities pass him by over the past three years. He hasn’t made any move that could be categorized as “big” since the blockbuster in 2023 that landed D.J. Moore and the eventual 1st round pick that secured Caleb Williams. Ever since then, it’s been mostly moves involving later picks for established veterans. Granted, he’s still finding great value with this approach, as Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson have proven. Still, it feels like Poles is due for some sort of big swing.
Yet based on most of the rumors lately, you shouldn’t bank on that happening for the upcoming trade deadline. The names connected to the Bears in the past couple of weeks include Khalil Mack and Nahshon Wright. Both are unlikely to cost more than a mid-to-late round pick. However, insider Jordan Schultz recently reported that the two teams generating the most noise as the deadline approaches are the San Francisco 49ers and the Bears. This would suggest that Poles might be planning something big.
Is Ryan Poles using the media to run a smokescreen?
Let’s not act like this isn’t something professional teams do. Using the media to manipulate the information you want circulating is a time-honored tradition in sports. Poles has demonstrated an ability to do this on several occasions. A good example came in 2025. Everybody thought the Bears would target a left tackle or tight end, Tyler Warren, with their 10th overall pick. Instead, they snapped up Colston Loveland, much to the annoyance of several teams that were hoping he’d drop.
Just think about it. Ryan Poles understands the situation. Mack and Wright are two names Bears fans love. They are certain to drum up all sorts of media buzz if both were connected to the team via trade rumors. While everybody is focused on that, he would be free to conduct business elsewhere without worry about drawing too much attention. Mack and Wright would help the team’s depth concerns. However, neither can be called true difference-makers. It feels like the Bears should be in the market for one of those.
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Poles has some fascinating options in play.
The name that is rapidly gaining the most steam is DeForest Buckner. Despite being in his 30s, the defensive tackle remains a constant pain for opposing offensive lines. He’s clearly not happy with his situation in Indianapolis as the Colts keep fading. Adding him in the middle would be a great short-term boost. Of course, there is also Maxx Crosby. His availability looked dead after the Las Vegas Raiders started 3-0. They have since lost four in a row and are spiraling down the drain. He could be back on the table with another loss next week.
Probably the biggest fish, though, is Jeffery Simmons. The 29-year-old defensive tackle is wrecking the competition again this season with 4 sacks in 7 games. There is every reason to think he can probably keep this up at least a couple more years. His versatility as an interior pass rusher and run defender is nearly unrivaled. If ever there was a player who could instantly alter the landscape of the Bears’ defense, it’d be him. Will Poles be willing to pay the price?
