The Chicago Bears are not a complete football team. They have clear flaws that fans were aware of as far back as the start of the offseason. There were lingering doubts about the strength of the running back room, and even more about the defensive line. Even after the additions of Dayo Odeyingbo and Grady Jarrett, those feelings have not changed. Jarrett is already dealing with a knee injury, while Odeyingbo has done nothing to show he deserved the considerable contract the Bears gave him.

Montez Sweat, their highest-paid player, has one sack in four games. He’s been a disappointment. The Bears desperately need somebody who can invigorate the group. Maybe Austin Booker can provide a spark when he returns from IR, but that feels like wishful thinking. A more aggressive move could be the only answer, and insider Matt Verderame of Sports Illustrated believes one possibility exists that would benefit them in multiple ways. The price tag would be steep, but worth it.

Proposed trade: Second-round pick to Titans for DT Jeffery Simmons

The Bears are all in with Caleb Williams and coach Ben Johnson. There’s no turning back, so they might as well make a splash move like this one.

The arrival of Simmons would immediately improve the Bears’ defense, which needs pass rushers and run stoppers. Simmons excels in both areas and could form a dominant duo with edge rusher Montez Sweat. For years, the Bears’ defense has done the heavy lifting. Now that the offense is showing signs of improvement, the defense has regressed. Simmons can help balance out Chicago’s problems this season.

Simmons is everything the Chicago Bears could want.

He’s had at least five sacks in every season since 2021, which is really good for an interior pass rusher. He already has two sacks and seven quarterback hits this season despite playing on an awful Tennessee Titans defense. That team is 0-4 and floundering. It feels like they might be the worst in the NFL again, with head coach Brian Callahan on the hot seat. A possible reset could be coming under new GM Mike Borgonzi. To do that, he’ll need draft capital. He and Ryan Poles worked together in Kansas City for years. Working out a deal for Simmons wouldn’t be too difficult.

The primary challenge for the Chicago Bears is financial. Simmons carries a hefty $22.9 million salary cap hit. That goes up to $25 million next year and $28 million in 2027. The good news is the Bears would control him for the next two and a half seasons. They have some possible moves they can make to clear the cap space. Do they believe adding him would make them playoff contenders? It’s an interesting discussion.

The Chicago Bears sweated things out during the 2024 draft as they waited to go back on the clock with the 9th overall pick. GM Ryan Poles knew who he wanted. It was all about Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze. Nobody else mattered. He knew the New York Giants would take a wide receiver at #6. When the name Malik Nabers dropped, he breathed a sigh of relief. A few picks later, the Bears got their guy. Many experts agreed that Odunze might’ve been the most complete receiver in the class, which was saying something given the array of talent.

His rookie year didn’t pan out that way. Odunze had a respectable 700 yards but only three touchdowns. Some wondered if the team might’ve been better served going for a left tackle or some pass rush help. Oh, ye of little faith. Four games into the 2025 season, Odunze is 11th in the league with 296 receiving yards and ranks second with five touchdowns, already eclipsing his rookie year. He told Rich Eisen on his show that he’s grateful things have finally started clicking.

Odunze also admitted that his ultimate goal is to claim one of the most prestigious records in the NFL.

Rome Odunze is chasing one of the all-time greats.

The current touchdown record of 23 was set by Randy Moss in 2007. That was the iconic season where the New England Patriots went undefeated in the regular season and came a helmet catch away from a perfect record. It was a statement year for Moss, who many thought was washed up after getting traded from Oakland. Reaching that mark would be an insane accomplishment. Only two players in NFL history have crossed the 20 mark. The other was Jerry Rice. Rome Odunze would change the entire perspective about him if he joined their company.

Odds are it won’t happen. So many things must go right for a receiver to catch that many touchdowns. That said, Odunze is well-positioned to claim the Bears’ single-season record of 13. That was set in 1947. Just in case you needed some perspective on what is happening right now.

It’s no secret that the Chicago Bears have problems with their running game. They rank 26th in the NFL through four weeks, and that number is propped up by Caleb Williams‘ scrambling. Head coach Ben Johnson is not happy with the state of things. Running the ball is a core part of his offense. Not being able to make everything else harder. He’s been careful defending running back D’Andre Swift amidst everything. The decision to bench left tackle Braxton Jones seemed to stem from his run-blocking issues. Yet many believe the team may seek some help on the trade market.

The problem is the options. There aren’t many notable names who appear to be available. Those who are, like Alvin Kamara in New Orleans, have contract issues. Chicago doesn’t really have the wiggle room for that. If they do make a move, it must be somebody with a reasonable cap number. It limits the pool. However, Bleacher Report believes there is one who fits what the Bears need. Fans might be familiar with the name after what he accomplished last year before entering a tough situation in Carolina.

He is Rico Dowdle.

Projected Trade Value: Conditional 2026 7th-Round Pick

Teams looking for a running back but are not interested in paying for a big name like Kamara should inquire about Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle.

The former Cowboys starter signed a one-year deal with Carolina this offseason but hasn’t been a big part of the game plan. He’s caught five passes, logged 28 carries and tallied 103 yards with a touchdown.

As Dallas’ starter last year, though, the 27-year-old rushed for 1,079 yards, caught 39 passes and totaled 1,328 scrimmage yards. While he’s not the proven playmaker Kamara is, he has a modest $1.2 million base salary and should be available at a bargain.

Dowdle is, at worst, a high-end backup and does have depth value for Carolina. However, the 1-3 Panthers appear to be in the middle of another lost season and might as well get a longer look at rookie Trevor Etienne.

Potential Suitors: Chicago Bears

Dowdle has the traits the Chicago Bears prefer under Johnson.

He is a good athlete with enough speed to threaten the edges. His vision allows him to find where the lanes will be, maximizing his yardage opportunities. This has been the constant issue with Swift. Dowdle is a pure runner. He won’t help you in the passing game, either as a receiver or a protector. This is a move that should be made only for rushing help. A 7th round pick is perfectly reasonable for a short-term rental. Carolina doesn’t look like they’re going anywhere this year, and they already have a primary back with Chubba Hubbard. Dealing Dowdle for some draft help isn’t a crazy thought. It depends on whether the Chicago Bears believe he could really help them.

The Chicago Bears reached 2-2 at the bye week despite some dangerous brushes with death along the way. Most alarming by far has been the play of their defense. After ranking 13th in points allowed last season, they were expected to be at least credible. Instead, they’re 25th this year. Much of that is due to two factors. They have the league’s worst run defense, and even more worringly, its fifth-worst pass rush. Chicago has five sacks in four games. Everything about this situation can be attributed to the poor construction of their defensive line, which falls squarely at the feet of GM Ryan Poles.

One could drone on about various reasons for this, but let’s get into the numbers. Here is every defensive lineman Poles has drafted since taking over, along with their production to date.

• 2022 – Dominique Robinson – 3 sacks
• 2023 – Gervon Dexter – 8.5 sacks
• 2023 – Zacch Pickens – 1.5 sacks
• 2023 – Travis Bell – 0 sacks
• 2024 – Austin Booker – 1.5 sacks
• 2025 – Shemar Turner – 0 sacks

Ready for the real pain? This group has combined for 14.5 sacks. Nick Bonitto, whom Poles passed on twice in 2022, has 27.5. Tuli Tuipulotu, who went one spot after Dexter in 2023, has 17. Byron Young, whom the Bears passed on in favor of Pickens, has 20.5. Yet his solutions to this problem were Dayo Odeyingbo, whom Indianapolis willingly let go, and Turner, who was never a prolific rusher for Texas A&M.

Ryan Poles never learned his lessons in Kansas City.

During his time as a scout for the Chiefs, they had a strong reputation for drafting pass rushers. Justin Houston, Dee Ford, and Chris Jones were all added during his time there. One would think he’d have a good gauge on what to look for. Yet his process has never reflected this. Ryan Poles has a terrible habit of focusing less on proven production and more on physical traits. None of the names he’s drafted had a single season in college where they had 10 or more sacks. In fact, the Bears haven’t done that as an organization since 2010, when they selected Corey Wootton out of Northwestern.

Poles is directly responsible for the maddening situation the Bears are in. He had several opportunities to invigorate their pass rush over the past four offseasons. Each and every one was wasted due to misplaced priorities or poor scouting. Even his emergency option, Montez Sweat, has been disappointing since last season. It feels like the only way out of this mess is with an early attack in next year’s draft. It would mark the first time in nine years the Bears will have taken a pass rusher in the 1st round. If it doesn’t happen, Poles will only leave this team open to more disappointment.

There was no denying Ben Johnson was the top coaching candidate of the 2025 cycle. Many teams were eager to get him. He checks all the boxes: young, successful, offensive-minded, and boasting a reputation for high intelligence. The Chicago Bears never land coaches like that. However, thanks to a series of fortunate breaks, that changed this time. Johnson chose the Bears’ job, intrigued by the opportunity both to turn around a dormant franchise and work with Caleb Williams. Still, people weren’t sure what to expect. There is a significant difference between successful coordinators and head coaches.

After a rough start to the season, Johnson has helped the team get pointed in the right direction over the past two weeks—a big part of why is their ability to execute in key situations. No stat reflects this better than 3rd down efficiency. NFL University revealed which teams have the highest grades. There are the usual suspects like Philadelphia, Green Bay, San Francisco, and Kansas City. Then you notice who ranks higher than all of them.

Ben Johnson has instilled a drastic turnaround.

Think about this. Last year, the Bears ranked 31st in 3rd down conversion rate on offense at just 32.90%. So far in 2025, they are 4th at 45.45%. This has been accomplished largely with the same personnel as last year, except for the tweaks to the offensive line. The only explanation for such a massive leap is coaching. What’s even crazier is that the Bears’ defense is even better. They’re first in opposing 3rd down conversion rate at 29.27%. The fact that they’re doing it with one of the league’s worst pass rushes is nothing short of miraculous. No doubt defensive coordinator Dennis Allen deserves credit for that.

This team is by no means perfect. They have several issues that aren’t easily fixed this year. Yet Ben Johnson has managed to navigate them to still field a competitive football team that steps up in key moments.

The Chicago Bears‘ defense has struggled this season. It gave up a big 4th quarter lead against Minnesota, 52 points against Detroit, and over 200 rushing yards against Las Vegas. However, Dennis Allen has managed to get his group to bow up in pressure situations over the past two weeks. Part of that has been some clever scheming. Another part has been getting timely contributions from key players. One name that hasn’t gotten much attention but has been crucial to their past two victories is Dominique Robinson.

The former 5th round pick looked like a lost cause by the end of last year. He was inconsequential most of the season and hadn’t produced a sack since 2023. However, he had a strong training camp and did enough to convince Allen he deserved an opportunity. Robinson rewarded that faith with three key plays that quietly gave the Bears their opportunity to reach 2-2.

Play #1: Dominique Robinson sacks Dak Prescott

Early in the 3rd quarter, Dallas trailed 24-14. Prescott had them on a drive into Bears territory. On 2nd and 6, Robinson blew past left tackle Tyler Guyton and dropped the Cowboys quarterback for a 10-yard sack. That set up 3rd and 16. Dallas failed to convert and ended up punting. The Bears would mount their 19-play drive on the next series, scoring a touchdown to make it 31-14.

Play #2: Robinson spin move to force Joe Milton INT

The game was essentially over late in the 4th quarter. Prescott had been pulled in favor of backup Joe Milton. Still, the Bears needed one more stop to ensure the victory. Dallas reached the red zone with a chance to score. On 3rd and 7, Robinson puts a nifty spin move on right tackle Terrence Steele, applying enough pressure to force Milton’s early throw. Safety Kevin Byard was waiting and picked it off easily.

Play #3: Dennis Allen film study pays off on key run stop

Las Vegas had been gashing Chicago all day on the ground. Leading 21-19, a touchdown would all but seal the game for them. Ashton Jeanty got the ball on 2nd down, but the Bears were ready. Robinson got the jump inside on right tackle DJ Glaze, which was something Dennis Allen discovered from film study. This allowed Robinson to pursue Jeanty. The running back was forced to string the play outside, where several Bears defenders were waiting to bring him down. That forced 3rd down, and the Raiders failed to convert, settling for a field goal. Chicago capitalized with a touchdown drive on the next series to take the lead, and then blocked the final Las Vegas field goal for the win. Robinson’s intelligence and hustle set all of it up.

The bye week is at hand. After a rollercoaster first four weeks, the Chicago Bears entered October with a 2-2 record. Their season is still alive, and they appear to have a stretch of winnable games coming up. They must find a way to take advantage. Head coach Ben Johnson knows this must be done by working to correct the persistent issues that have been plaguing his team. Multiple details go into it, but anyone with eyes can see it. The Bears have serious issues with their running game and pass rush.

Chicago ranks 24th in rushing this year, and much of that is propped up by Caleb Williams‘ scrambling ability. D’Andre Swift and the running backs haven’t gotten going. Meanwhile, the Bears are tied for 26th in sacks per game at 1.3. Opponents have consistently capitalized on these two weaknesses. This is why Johnson and GM Ryan Poles have scoured the trade market for possible solutions. Unfortunately, they haven’t gotten the results they hoped for. According to sources, the market is unresponsive. Most teams with potential options that could help the Bears aren’t interested in selling.

This has put Chicago in a tough spot.

The Chicago Bears may have to wait the market out.

There is a saying that has grown popular in recent years: deadlines spur action. The NFL trade deadline isn’t until the end of October. A lot can change between now and then. Right now, the landscape isn’t receptive to trades. Most of the notable options the Chicago Bears may have aren’t there. The New York Jets, who are 0-4, appear to be a team that should consider selling. Sadly, they just lost running back Braelon Allen to a knee injury. With him out, there is no way the Jets can entertain trading Breece Hall, as has been rumored for months.

The same goes for Devon Achane, who just saw his Miami Dolphins win their first game of the year. Alvin Kamar is another name batted around, but his contract would put way too much strain on the Bears’ salary cap. As for the edge market, that is even less plausible, as teams aren’t usually in the business of dealing pass rushers. The bottom line is the Bears may have to search for solutions internally for now, hoping the market shifts at some point.