Ryan Poles already made his big swing before the 2026 NFL trade deadline, landing Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons. That move changes the way the Bears can shop from here on out, and it’s why a cheaper edge rusher has started to make a lot of sense.
ESPN’s Seth Walder pointed Chicago toward Miami Dolphins veteran Josh Uche, a $1.4 million edge rusher who could fit as a low-cost addition rather than a headline-grabbing splash.
“Who should they target? Dolphins edge Josh Uche,” Walder writes. “The Bears already paid a ton to bring in Simmons, so I assume they’ll be seeking bargains for the rest of deadline season.”
That’s the appeal here. Uche isn’t in the same tier as the biggest names available, including Maxx Crosby or even Khalil Mack, but he also wouldn’t require the kind of heavy investment those players would demand. For a team that already spent big on Simmons, that matters.
Uche has bounced around the league over the last seven years, spending time with the New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, and Kansas City Chiefs before landing in Miami this season. In seven games with the Dolphins, he has 2.0 sacks and 29 total tackles, which is a new career high.
He’s not a true game-wrecker, but he does bring value as a rotational edge rusher. And because of his one-year deal, he looks like the kind of rental the Bears could realistically chase without having to overpay.
A late Day 3 draft pick could be enough to get it done, which is exactly the sort of price range Chicago can work with after the Simmons deal. It may not be the loudest move on the board, but as a budget option, Uche fits the moment.
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Miamis performance gave both sides of that debate something to grab onto. There were critiques of how the game was handled in key moments and concerns about how the team functioned on both sides of the ball, but there was also a sense that the Dolphins at least stayed competitive and showed signs of progress compared with where they have been. [Read more 🡒]
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Miami also listed rookie guard Kadyn Proctor as progressing in concussion protocol, a reminder that the injury picture is still shifting on the offensive side. On the other sideline, Lions linebacker Jack Campbell, who was hurt seriously last week, put out a statement saying his recovery is moving in the right direction, leaving both teams with key health questions to monitor as game day approaches. [Read more 🡒]