Five trade deadline options for the Bears to explore |
Dustin Riese
· · 6 hours ago
Along with the midway point of the season comes the NFL trade deadline, as teams alike will be looking to not only improve their rosters to make one last playoff push, but those on the outside looking in may also want to unload some of their better players in an effort to build for the future.
Depending on what happens over the Bears' next two or three games, it will go a long way in determining how they approach the deadline. Should the Bears reach 5-3 or even 6-2, they will likely be buyers at the deadline, as they will be right in the middle of the NFC North race. Should they fall to 4-4 then you have to wonder if they would stand pat and try to piece together the rest of the season. Over the past few weeks, you have already heard several names linked to the Bears as deadline targets, and from all accounts, more names could be added in the coming days. Five names are generating the most steam regarding potential deadline targets for the Bears.
In what seems like a foregone conclusion, Hall will most likely be on the move at the deadline, and it's the Bears that continue to be linked to him. This isn't the first time the Bears have been linked to Hall, as he was mentioned as an offseason trade target, given Ben Johnson's high value for the Running Back position. Even with D'Andre Swift breaking out against the Washington Commanders and the New Orleans Saints, Chicago would love to add to its running back room, and Hall does make sense, as the struggling 0-6 Jets are about to enter fire sale mode.Breece Hall
Cameron Jordan
Not a name that was closely linked to the Bears, Jordan has now heard his name mentioned as a fit for Chicago, and it's very clear as to why. Not only would Chicago love to add a pass-rushing presence to aid their struggling pass rush, but Jordan has a long history with Dennis Allen, as he was the defensive coordinator in New Orleans for nearly a decade.
Despite nearing the end of his career and not being the same productive player he once was, Jordan is still a force to be reckoned with and will still give you 8-9 sacks on any given season. If Chicago were to have interest in Jordan, they would need to get creative with his salary, as he is owed a substantial amount of money. However, given the Saints' situation, they would likely love to move that money.
Riq Woolen
Another name that may not be a household name was mentioned as a fit for Chicago last week in Seattle Seahawks corner Riq Woolen. While defensive back is far from the Bears' issue, they are still down their best defender in Jaylon Johnson, so adding any additional help to replace him would be huge.
Not only would Woolen be the perfect fill-in, but this is someone who has had plenty of success in the past, especially during his first two seasons with the Seahawks. Even if things have gone downhill the past two seasons, Woolen still has the talent to be a reliable defender, so a change of scenery is what he needs to get back on track.
Arden Key
There is no question that the Bears' two most significant needs as of today would be an improved rushing attack and players who can get after the quarterback. Swift showed signs of life against the Commanders on Monday, and should that continue, he can take care of the Bears' rushing attack on his own.
The pass rush, on the other hand, presents an entirely different argument, as the Bears can't generate enough pressure even with key players returning. Jeffery Simmons was mentioned as a fit the other day, but Arden Key is also a name to watch, as he too hails from the struggling Titans. Despite currently battling an injury, Key has been a very productive player over the past two seasons, totaling 14 sacks in his first two NFL seasons.
His addition to the Bears would not only give them much-needed depth, but also a player who knows how to get after the quarterback. That's not a bad idea for the Bears to consider, especially if they continue to improve week by week.
Jaelen Phillips
The last player mentioned as a fit for the Bears also happens to be an Edge rusher, and he hails from a team that could be in more disarray than the Titans. The long-time Miami Dolphins Edge rusher has dealt with injuries the past two seasons, but when he has been healthy, he has proven to be one of the better pass rushers in the game.
On the season, Phillips has 14 tackles and one sack, but could be useful in a limited role like another young Bears defender, Austin Booker. Phillips was once a player capable of putting up 10-plus sacks, but that isn't the player he is at this stage in his career. Still, if used in specific packages, there is no reason to believe he couldn't rack up at least six or seven sacks, which is all you can ask for.
