The Bears swung for a big-name defensive tackle and came up short when DeForest Buckner was sent back to the San Francisco 49ers by the Indianapolis Colts. That doesn’t end the search. It just changes the list.
Chicago had been one of the teams most interested in Buckner, and now the focus shifts to other options over the next couple of weeks. There are still several defensive tackles who could make sense if the Bears want to keep pressing for help up front.
Vita Vea is one name to watch in Tampa Bay. The Bears may have been in the mix when he asked for a trade this summer, and the Buccaneers’ 2-5 start changes the temperature again. He’d be a major addition.
Moro Ojomo also belongs on the board. Philadelphia is 2-5, its starting quarterback is out for the year, and its starting right tackle retired.
That puts the Eagles in sell-mode. On top of that, they already extended Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter on the defensive line, which could make Ojomo the odd man out when it comes time to get paid.
Daron Payne is another possible target, and he comes with a different kind of appeal. He’s a free agent after the season, carries a $90M price tag, and gives a defense a strong presence against the run. Washington sits at 1-4-1, so the Commanders could listen if they decide they are unlikely to keep him.
Grover Stewart would likely come cheaper than Buckner or Quenton Nelson, which matters. The Colts have him on expiring contract status too, and that alone makes a deal more realistic. He does not offer Buckner’s pass-rush impact, but he is a strong run defender, and that’s something Chicago could use.
Zach Seiler is another player worth tracking. He’s under contract for the next two years, but the general manager who extended him is no longer there. Miami is 1-5 and clearly in rebuild mode, and Seiler’s back-to-back 10-sack seasons in 2023 and 2024 make him a valuable piece.
A’Shawn Robinson gives Tampa Bay yet another trade option. He’s on a one-year deal, doesn’t bring much in the pass rush, but he does bring steady run defense and leadership in the locker room. He would also come at a cheaper salary and lower trade cost than Vea, which makes him a sensible player to at least explore.
The Titans are 1-6, and Jeffery Simmons is the biggest name of the bunch. He’s signed for the next few years and is viewed as a potential Defensive Player of the Year candidate. Getting him would cost a haul similar to the Khalil Mack trade.
In Other News...
Montez Sweats Costly Suspension Just Changed A Bears Conversation
Montez Sweats two-game suspension has already altered the conversation around the Bears, even if the team got through his absence without a total collapse. The veteran defensive end was sidelined for a violation of the NFLs performance-enhancing substance policy, leaving Chicago to adjust up front while one of its most important pass rushers watched from the outside.
Sweat apologized and accepted responsibility for the violation, which only adds to the sting for a player expected to be central to the Bears defensive plans. The financial hit is significant as well, with forfeited game checks and the loss of salary protection hanging over his season, turning a brief suspension into an issue with longer-term implications for both player and team. [Read more 🡒]
Ryan Poles Is Already Under Pressure After Bears Missed Two Targets
The Bears went into the trade market looking for help on both sides of the ball, and two of the biggest names involved were Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner. Indianapolis ultimately moved both players elsewhere, dealing Nelson to the Seahawks and Buckner to the 49ers for draft picks, while Chicago came up short after reportedly being in the mix for each upgrade.
For Ryan Poles, the early inability to land either target adds another layer to a front office that is still hunting for difference-makers. The Bears remain active in trade conversations and are still being linked to high-end possibilities such as Maxx Crosby and Khalil Mack, but missing on Nelson and Buckner is a reminder of how narrow the margins can be when a team is trying to reshape its roster quickly. [Read more 🡒]
Bears Trade Deadline Pressure Just Went Up For Ryan Poles
The Bears have reached the part of the season where the trade deadline starts to feel less like a date on the calendar and more like a test of resolve for Ryan Poles. With Caleb Williams still on a rookie contract, Chicago has a real opportunity to push its roster forward now, and the front office is weighing whether a defensive addition is worth the cost of future draft capital.
One possible target already came off the board, narrowing the list of available impact players and raising the urgency around Chicagos search. The Bears are still being linked to other defensive reinforcements as they assess whether the current roster is close enough to justify a move, and that decision may end up saying as much about the franchises timeline as it does about the player they land. [Read more 🡒]