The Chicago Bears are 3-2 and have won three straight games, which is an even more impressive feat considering how poorly the defense has performed to this point in the season.
Chicago has just eight sacks, which is tied for the third-lowest total across the league. The Bears can potentially make a move through the trade market or free agency, though the most likely avenue to upgrade the edge position will come in next April’s NFL draft.
Jordan Reid of ESPN predicted on Wednesday, October 15 that Chicago will select Clemson Tigers edge T.J. Parker with the No. 17 overall pick in 2026.
“The Bears have struggled to generate a pass rush this season, as their team pass rush win rate of 28.2% is 30th in the NFL,” Reid wrote. “They need impactful rushers off the edge, and Parker is a power-based rusher with strong hands and a good initial burst. He has also been productive, with 18.5 career sacks — including 11 in 2024.”
Parker also has 37.5 tackles for loss across 33 career games in college, as well as six forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and four pass breakups.
Bears Linked to Potential Trade for Defensive Tackle Calais Campbell
GettyDefensive lineman Calais Campbell of the Arizona Cardinals
Chicago’s run defense has also been abysmal, allowing 156.4 yards per game to opposing rushing attacks.
The Bears’ problems against the run, particularly at the line of scrimmage, were not necessarily an expected issue heading into this season. As such, among the team’s most likely roster initiatives in the coming weeks will be to improve the defensive interior ahead of the league’s November 4 trade deadline.
As such, 39-year-old defensive lineman Calais Campbell of the Arizona Cardinals is a potential target for Chicago.
“Campbell has still been an above-average player for the Cardinals this season. He’s on track for a 15th straight year with a 71.0-plus overall PFF grade, and has been a well-rounded addition for Arizona’s new-look defense,” Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus wrote Monday. “Campbell has generated 11 pressures while also producing a 70.0 PFF run-defense grade. … With Campbell at his age and on a one-year deal, shipping him away — particularly to pave the way for playing time for younger players — could be logical.”
Campbell is making just $5.5 million in 2025 and has amassed nine QB hits to go along with four tackles for loss and three sacks.
Bears Could Take Big Swing for Edge Rusher at NFL Trade Deadline
GettyEdge rusher Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals.
Locker also noted exceptional edge rushers such as Kayvon Thibodeaux of the New York Giants and Trey Hendrickson of the Cincinnati Bengals as potential trade candidates over the next three weeks.
Chicago could get aggressive in its pursuit of the edge pressure it so desperately needs and make a move for one of those players, but Hendrickson is up for a new contract in the spring, while Thibodeaux will be a free agent in March 2027.
Thus, over the life of their next contracts, either player will be vastly more expensive than a rookie taken in the middle of the first round. That doesn’t mean the Bears won’t make a move for a premium defensive end before the 2026 draft, as general manager Ryan Poles traded a second-rounder to the Washington Commanders for Montez Sweat ahead of the deadline back in 2023.
However, it is more likely the Bears will make a more modest move or two ahead of the trade deadline (if they make any moves at all) then taking a home run swing to improve a team that has been competitive in 2025, but doesn’t look close to Super Bowl contenders as of now.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Bears Linked to Acquisition of 18.5-Sack Edge Rusher appeared first on Heavy Sports.