Ryan Poles may not be finished reshaping the Bears just yet.
After Chicago swung the season’s biggest deal for Jeffery Simmons and watched him make an immediate impact in a 34-17 win over the Seattle Seahawks, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport said the Bears could still be active ahead of the next trade deadline. On ESPN’s “Big Day,” Rapoport pointed to two names that could surface again for Chicago: Khalil Mack and Nahshon Wright.
The Simmons move already changed the conversation around the Bears. Chicago paid two first-round picks and a Day 3 selection, then got a debut from Simmons that featured six tackles, two tackles for loss, one pass deflection, one quarterback hit, and one sack. With the Bears now 6-2, the thinking is simple: they’re close enough to keep pushing.
Rapoport made clear he believes Poles has more in him.
“First of all, the Simmons trade was really brilliant. You know, you wonder what kind of player could be worth two first-round picks.
You have to be a special player. Changes the entire thing.
That’s what everyone is looking for. If you’re going to make a trade, make a trade, make an impact.
They have done it. Kudos to Ryan Poles for understanding where they are as an organization.
Among their needs, they have a need on the edge, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him add some secondary help as well. Khalil Mack is a name that we obviously have discussed.
The problem with that is Joe Hortiz, the general manager for the Chargers, has shown no indication that he wants to sell at all. What they like, how Khalil Mack has helped the young edges and helped the locker room.
It’s bad there. They do not want to give up on the season.
The other interesting one is Nahshon Wright. I mean, was with the Bears last year, was with the Jets, now is really not playing.
Could that be a name to watch as well, just for some depth? I do not believe Ryan Poles is done.”
Mack has started fast this season, posting six quarterback hits and three sacks through the first seven games. Wright, meanwhile, has barely been a factor after signing a one-year, $5.5 million deal with the New York Jets in the offseason, finishing with one tackle in three games.
The cost matters here, too. Chicago no longer has the same draft stock it did before the Simmons trade, but both players are viewed as attainable if the price is right. A Mack deal is projected to cost a fifth-round pick, while Wright would likely take only a sixth- or seventh-rounder.
Mack would strengthen the edge group, though the Bears are not desperate there at the moment. Montez Sweat and Austin Booker are both playing well, and Dayo Odeyingbo is expected back from IR soon, which would give Chicago a solid rotation. Mack would still bring value as a 20- to 30-snap pass rusher who could be used in passing situations.
Wright may be the more pressing fit. Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson have both struggled badly, each allowing passer ratings of 129 or higher. Malik Muhammad is expected back from his toe injury in the next week or two, but Wright would give the Bears another layer of insurance if the cornerback play doesn’t improve.
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