The Bears may have already made a splash by landing Titans star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, but Ryan Poles made it clear the front office isn’t treating draft capital like a punchline.
“One thing I want to hit, I know it’s kind of a joke that goes around, but, ‘F them picks’ is like a big thing - that’s really not what we’re about. I know it took a lot to get this done, but we absolutely believe that the draft and bringing [in] young talent is the way you sustain success around here,” Poles said, via NBC Sports.
“I’m challenging myself and our crew, for the picks that we do have, we have to hit. We have to be great with our undrafted free agent process.
And whatever tier of free agency we’re working in, which we’ll have constraints, we have to hit there, too.”
Even with that move in the books, Chicago might not be finished. According to Bleacher Report’s James Palmer, the Bears could still be active before the trade deadline.
In Detroit, the Lions are keeping their options open behind Jahmyr Gibbs. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported the team remains in contact with free agent running backs in case it needs help at backup running back, with Gibbs on pace for 500 touches.
The Lions also took a hit on Sunday when safety Brian Branch and linebacker D.J. Wonnum were both ruled out after suffering concussions when they collided with each other.
Minnesota, meanwhile, is at least willing to hear teams out on Jauan Jennings. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the Vikings are open to trade offers for the wide receiver, while Bleacher Report’s James Palmer added that GM Nolan Teasley has been one of the most active executives on the phone ahead of the deadline, a sign the Vikings are seriously open to adding to the roster.
In Other News...
Vikings Could Make A Costly Deadline Swing At Running Back
The running back market could get expensive before the NFL trade deadline, and Minnesota has been mentioned among the teams keeping a close eye on it. With injuries and depth concerns driving interest around the league, the Vikings are one of several clubs exploring help at the position, while Indianapolis has made it clear it may not be eager to move Jonathan Taylor without a meaningful return.
For Minnesota, the question is whether the price tag matches the urgency. League chatter has linked the Vikings and the Giants to the same search for backfield help, but any deal for Taylor would likely require a significant package and would force a team to weigh present needs against future draft capital. Nothing is finalized, and Taylors situation in Indianapolis remains unresolved, which leaves the deadline picture very much in flux. [Read more 🡒]
Vikings Quarterback Frustration Just Put A Bigger Move In Play
The Vikings recent loss has only sharpened the conversation around their quarterback situation, and it has begun to push the discussion beyond the usual short-term fixes. Instead of focusing solely on adding help at running back, the bigger question now is whether Minnesota should be looking at a more dramatic move to stabilize the offense and change the direction of the room.
Daniel Jones has emerged as the name to watch in that conversation, especially with Indianapolis in a rebuilding phase and open to reshaping its roster. For Minnesota, the appeal is obvious: if the frustration with quarterback play is real enough, the front office may be forced to think bigger than a single skill-position upgrade, even if the timing and market for such a move are still very much in flux. [Read more 🡒]
Jonathan Taylor Trade Talk Just Put The Colts On The Spot
Minnesotas first loss of the season has only sharpened the conversation around how this offense wants to win when the passing game is not carrying the load. The Vikings have looked dangerous enough to keep the pressure on opponents, but the debate now is whether they need a more reliable rushing presence to round out the attack and give the offense a clearer identity.
That is why the trade chatter around Indianapolis running back Jonathan Taylor has started to feel more than hypothetical, even if nothing official is in place. Any serious pursuit would come with real hurdles, from the cost in draft capital to the cap math needed to make it work, and those are the kinds of obstacles that can stall a splashy idea before it ever reaches the finish line. [Read more 🡒]