Ryan Poles made the kind of splash that can change a season when he landed Jeffery Simmons ahead of the NFL trade deadline. But when the deadline actually hit, the Bears were still missing the one move that could have rounded out the picture.
Chicago had a clear need at outside cornerback, and the front office never filled it. The Bears stood pat, leaving Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson and rookie Malik Muhammad as the main answers in a room that still looks thin.
Muhammad is expected to return from a toe injury after missing the last two games, with Week 11 against the New Orleans Saints lining up as his likely comeback spot. That would push Stevenson back out of the starting role once Muhammad is healthy.
Johnson, meanwhile, remains the other presumed starter on the outside, and his pick-six against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers gave him a boost. Even so, his overall play has not been strong enough for the Bears to feel comfortable relying on him as a full-time starter.
That is why so many fans wanted Poles to add another corner before the deadline passed. Instead, he either passed on available options or decided the asking price was too steep.
One name that made a lot of sense was Nahshon Wright. The current New York Jets cornerback was productive with Chicago last season, when he put together a breakout year with five interceptions, three fumble recoveries and two forced fumbles.
He also broke up 11 passes, a career high. Wright knows the Bears’ defense, and Dennis Allen got the best out of him, which made the fit obvious from the outside.
If New York wanted more than a sixth-round pick, or if Poles was unwilling to give up that kind of draft capital, then the two sides never got close enough to finish a deal.
There were other names worth considering, too. Riq Woolen of the Philadelphia Eagles, Donte Jackson of the Los Angeles Chargers, Alontae Taylor of the Tennessee Titans and Kristian Fulton of the Kansas City Chiefs all came up as possible options, with Fulton standing out because he is no longer in the starting rotation.
The problem now is simple: the free-agent market is thin, and the Bears may be stuck with what they have. That means leaning on Johnson and Muhammad, hoping both stay healthy, and trying to avoid a scenario where Stevenson is forced into a bigger role than the team wants.
After making one of the biggest deadline moves of the year, Poles came up empty on the other side of it.
In Other News...
Rome Odunze Just Added A Dangerous New Wrinkle To Chicago's Offense
Rome Odunze had already been doing plenty of the heavy lifting in Chicagos passing game before he finally found the end zone on Sunday night. The rookie had built up a solid body of work in catches and receiving yards without a touchdown to show for it, which made his role look productive but still a little unfinished as the Bears tried to round out their offense.
Now there is at least another layer for defenses to worry about. Odunzes first score of the season came at a time when Chicago has been looking for more ways to stress opponents beyond its usual targets, and it gives the Bears a receiver who can threaten in more than one phase of the passing game. For an offense that has been searching for reliable answers, that kind of development can change the way teams have to line up against them. [Read more 🡒]
Bears Legend Sees A Path For Caleb Williams To Make History
Patrick Mannelly still sits atop a pair of Bears longevity marks, with 245 games and 16 seasons, but he is not treating those records like something to guard. The former long snapper made it clear he would welcome Caleb Williams as the player who eventually pushes past them, because in his view that kind of career arc would come with the kind of team success Chicago has spent years chasing.
Mannelly also had plenty to say about the new look around Williams, especially the addition of defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. He praised Simmons for the versatility and impact he brings to the roster, the sort of front-line presence that can change how an opponent has to game plan and, in turn, help create the kind of environment where a quarterback can stay in one place long enough to make history. [Read more 🡒]
Bears Win Put One Roster Trend In Focus Fast
Chicagos Week 9 win came with the offense still searching for rhythm, but it also sharpened the focus on a few roster trends that have been building beneath the surface. Theo Benedet stayed at left tackle for a second straight game and handled every snap there, a notable sign of stability on a line that has needed it, while Kalif Raymond continued to be a steady part of the passing game as the Bears worked through their usual mix of wrinkles and limitations.
On the other side of the ball, injuries in the cornerback room created an opening for Clark Phillips III, and he made the most of the extra work with a strong showing in coverage. Roschon Johnsons role, meanwhile, remains worth watching after he was absent from the offensive snap count entirely, leaving the Bears with some decisions to sort through even in a win that otherwise offered a few encouraging signs. [Read more 🡒]