The Chicago Bears are 5–3 and very much alive in the NFC playoff race, but the pass rush remains a glaring area of need.
After Chicago’s 47–42 win over the Cincinnati Bengals Week 9, starting edge Dayo Odeyingbo exited in the second half with an ankle injury and did not return.
Even before Odeyingbo was injured — the severity of which is not yet known — Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer said on the pregame broadcast that the Bears were going to be one of the “most aggressive” teams at the trade deadline.
ESPN insider Dan Graziano also believes the Bears will be looking for help in the defensive side. “The Bears (have) shown enough to convince themselves they can compete for a playoff spot in Ben Johnson’s first year as coach,” Graziano wrote on November 2. “GM Ryan Poles tends to be active this time of year, and the Bears need help on defense as well.”
Which Pass Rushers or Defensive Linemen Could Chicago Bears Trade for Before 2025 Deadline?
GettyCarl Granderson could be an option at pass rusher for the Chicago Bears heading into the 2025 trade deadline.
If Odeyingbo were to miss time, Chicago currently has Montez Sweat, Austin Booker, Dominique Robinson and Daniel Hardy on the outside. They’ll likely be looking for more reinforcements, and Glazer mentioned a few names who could be available.
“The Dolphins have a couple of guys who could be available,” Glazer noted. “(Bradley) Chubb, (Matthew) Judon and (Jaelan) Phillips, (with) Jaelan Phillips (being) the most likely. … The Philadelphia Eagles have interest in him.”
Philly has since traded for Phillips, so that’s one less option on the table for the Bears.
The Bears aren’t going to try to concoct a Micah Parsons 2.0-type deal involving multiple future first-round picks, but there are options out there who could really help Sweat and company.
Chubb would be an intriguing option for the Bears. The 29-year-old former top-5 pick has 4.0 sacks, seven QB hits, a forced fumble and five tackles-for-loss in nine games this season. If he were added tomorrow, he’d have more sacks than any other pass rusher on Chicago’s roster.
If the Bears wanted more familiarity, Carl Granderson in New Orleans makes sense. He’s familiar with defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, as they worked together previously. Allen was very likely a driving force behind the Bears’ recent addition of defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson — could he make a push for another former player?
Malcolm Koonce of the Las Vegas Raiders could be another option. At 27, he’s still young, and while his production isn’t off the charts (he has 1.0 sacks in seven games), he wouldn’t cost much and he could be a solid depth option.
Could the Bears Also Add Help on the Interior?
After losing rookie defensive tackle Shemar Turner for the year, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Chicago added another veteran to help fill that void.
If the Bears decide to go that route, David Onyemata of the Atlanta Falcons is a sensible target. Atlanta has younger interior pieces playing bigger roles, and Onyemata might be available.
There’s also Mazi Smith, a 2023 first-round for the Dallas Cowboys. Smith is still on his rookie contract—a four-year, $13.27 million deal with $6.65 million guaranteed through 2026—but he’s struggled to earn consistent snaps.
Or, if the Bears wanted a more established veteran, there’s Kenny Clark, now 29, who went to Dallas as part of the Micah Parsons trade. Clark inked a three-year, $64 million extension in 2024 that runs through 2027, so he’d be a pricier option. Clark notched 7.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss in 2023, his most productive season since 2019.
With the Bears at 5–3 and playing better offensively, it stands to reason they’re looking to get better on the defensive side of the ball. It’ll be interesting to see how it plays out before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. (EST) deadline.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Bears Expected to Be ‘Aggressive’ Addressing Key Roster Need Via Trade: Report appeared first on Heavy Sports.