Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles is at a crossroads. With the start of the season approaching, the team’s depth at pass rusher is a glaring issue. Austin Booker is going to start on IR for the first four games of the season, which means the Bears are left with just Montez Sweat, Dayo Odeyingbo, Dominique Robinson, and Daniel Hardy.
And while names like Micah Parsons and Trey Hendrickson were never real options given their price tag and draft capital required, Bears SI writer Gene Chamberlain recently made a compelling case that a trade for New England Patriots edge rusher Keion White could be exactly what Chicago needs.
Why the Bears Should Strongly Consider a Trade for Keion White
Free agency options are slim, with veterans like Za’Darius Smith and Jadeveon Clowney either seeking larger contracts or nearing a deal elsewhere. That leaves Poles with a choice: chase aging, short-term rentals, or pursue a young, ascending talent who fits the Bears’ defensive scheme.
That’s where White enters the conversation. Drafted by New England in their 4-3 front, White now finds himself behind K’Lavon Chaisson in Mike Vrabel’s newly implemented 3-4 scheme. At 6-foot-5 and 285 pounds, White doesn’t naturally project as a 3-4 outside linebacker. Instead, he profiles as an ideal defensive end in Dennis Allen’s 4-3 system.
“He was good enough as a pass rusher in 2024 that Pro Football Focus last year had him ranked 20th among 210 NFL edges,” Chamberlain wrote. “He seemed to come on stronger as last year went along and can be viewed as an ascending younger player.”
Last season, White played in all 17 games with 56 total tackles, five sacks, and two forced fumbles. At just 26 years old, he could be a huge addition for the Bears.
The Financials and Potential Trade Compensation
The financial aspect is appealing. Entering just his third NFL season, White carries a cap hit of around $2.12 million in 2025 and $2.48 million in 2026, according to Over the Cap.
With Chicago low on available cap space, acquiring White wouldn’t cripple the team’s budget. In fact, his affordability makes him a far better option than veterans demanding around $7-10 million for just one season.
So what would it take to land him? Chamberlain floated the idea of offering a third-round pick, which Poles has historically struggled to maximize. If not, he also suggested a package involving a fourth-rounder and offensive lineman Kiran Amegadjie, who could become a developmental piece for the Patriots.
As Chamerlain noted, “They’ve been trying to get [Amegadjie] reps at guard so he has position versatility and the Patriots have been worried about their offensive line since last year. This gives them depth and an option.”
Adding White would immediately address one of the most concerning areas on this Bears’ current roster, and would give the team a player who has the potential to grow into a long-term starter.
For Ryan Poles, the path is clear: pick up the phone and see what it takes to bring Keion White to Chicago.
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