The Chicago Bears may already have made their splash at the NFL trade deadline with Jeffery Simmons, but they might not be finished shopping. At 6-2 and right in the middle of a crowded NFC North race, Chicago’s next move appears to be aimed at the secondary.
According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, cornerback has emerged as the position the Bears are now exploring most closely.
“The Bears have been linked to edge rushers such as Khalil Mack, but a few league evaluators told me what you heard -- that cornerback is becoming more of a need,” wrote Fowler in his weekly column. “Tyrique Stevenson Sr. and Jaylon Johnson have had their up-and-down moments this season. And while Malik Muhammad II is flashing, he's a rookie.”
That shift matters because the Bears had also been tied to pass-rush help, including Mack. But Fowler’s reporting suggests that talk has taken a back seat while Chicago looks at the back end of its defense instead.
Two names have surfaced in the chatter. One is Washington’s Mike Sainstrill, though Fowler added, “I don’t get the sense the Commanders plan to trade him.” The other is a more realistic bargain option: “An available corner such as the Eagles' Riq Woolen for a Day 3 pick could make sense.”
Sainstrill would give Chicago some flexibility. He has experience both in the slot and on the outside, and while he’s in his third NFL season, he has been shifted into a reserve role. Because he would be coming in with his rookie deal set to expire after next season, he could be a relatively manageable add.
Woolen brings a different kind of appeal. He signed a one-year deal with the Eagles after the free-agent market didn’t go the way he wanted, hoping to rebuild his value.
That hasn’t really happened with Philadelphia’s struggles, but his price tag would likely stay low. For the Bears, that means a possible upgrade without much downside.
There’s also a bigger-picture angle if Woolen were to hit in Chicago. A productive stretch with the Bears could boost his free-agent value, while the Eagles would at least recoup a pick for a player who didn’t work out. And if he lands a bigger deal elsewhere, that could help Chicago through the compensatory formula.
So even after the Simmons move, the Bears’ deadline path is starting to look clearer. The edge-rusher buzz is still out there, but the more pressing need seems to be in the secondary.
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