The Chicago Bears may have unearthed three immediate contributors in the 2026 NFL Draft, with Dillon Thieneman looking like a first-round steal at safety and rookies Malik Muhammad and Jordan van den Berg flashing star potential of their own.
But that kind of youth wave comes with a warning label. Even if those first-year players keep shining through training camp and the preseason, the Bears still need more defensive help, especially on the back end.
That’s why Alex Kay of Bleacher Report floated a move that could change the complexion of the roster: sending a 2027 second- and sixth-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for cornerback Joey Porter Jr.
Chicago’s need at corner is obvious. “After ranking bottom-five in total defense and allowing a whopping 32 touchdowns through the air last year, Chicago brought in several veterans-including projected starter Coby Bryant-to reinforce the safety position. While that should help shore up one of the weak points in the secondary, the club could still heavily benefit from adding a Pro Bowl-caliber corner,” argued Kay.
Porter Jr. and the Steelers are reportedly at an impasse on a new contract, and barring something unexpected, it does not look like he’ll remain there after this season. If that holds, Pittsburgh may have little choice but to move on.
The cost would not be small. A second-round pick is a serious price, but Porter Jr. is still early in his career and has already shown the traits of a shutdown corner who can help against the run, too. He was a second-round pick himself.
The Bears’ current corner situation adds to the appeal. Tyrique Stevenson has been inconsistent for much of his career and is now dealing with an injury. Malik Muhammad has split time between nickel and outside, but Kyler Gordon’s injury situation could force Muhammad to spend most of his time in the slot.
Jaylon Johnson gives Chicago a strong piece on one side, but the job of lining up opposite him has not been settled in a way that inspires much confidence. Under Al Harris, Porter Jr. could become the team’s next ball-hawk and turnover machine.
The money would be another hurdle. With Denzel Ward and Devon Witherspoon landing big paydays this offseason, Porter Jr. could be aiming for more than $30 million per year.
Still, the Bears may not have the luxury of being picky. Johnson is not guaranteed to stay for the full length of his four-year contract, and if Chicago wants to push this roster over the top, locking up Porter Jr. for the long term would make sense.
The Bears might have the talent to boast the league’s best offense, and after the early buzz around the Ben Johnson era, they are not going to sneak up on anyone. That leaves the defense as the part that could keep them from a Super Bowl run, and a trade for Joey Porter Jr. would be the kind of swing that could define the season.
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