Having no game this week has allowed GM Ryan Poles time to fully assess whether the Chicago Bears will be active at the upcoming trade deadline. Everybody knows the team has taken big swings in each of the past two years. They acquired Chase Claypool in 2022 and Montez Sweat in 2023. With two 2nd round picks next year, it feels like Poles is well-equipped to dive in again before November 5th. What remains uncertain is who, if anybody, the Bears will target over the next few weeks.
A source informed SM that the team has three possible position groups circled. The first and biggest priority is the interior offensive line. While they have been happy with the blocking improvement in recent weeks, they know some much tougher challenges loom over the season’s second half. If they can find a genuine difference-maker, that would be ideal. If that possibility doesn’t materialize, they will shift to finding another pass rusher or help at running back.
They love what Darrell Taylor has done since trading for him before the season. However, the team feels he is more of the perfect situational rusher than a true #2 guy across from Montez Sweat. Finding one on the market would be a great help. You can never have too many pass rushers. The bigger surprise is running back. D’Andre Swift seems to have settled down after a rough start and is playing some good football. This has less to do with him and is more about the depth behind him.
While the Chicago Bears brass love Khalil Herbert, they realize he just isn’t a good fit for Shane Waldron’s offense. Roschon Johnson is a good short-yardage back but lacks explosiveness. Travis Homer hasn’t been healthy most of the season. It feels like they are one injury away from being in a bad spot. Do they inquire about Chuba Hubbard? Alvin Kamara? Tank Bigsby? Antonio Gibson? All at least feel like possibilities if their respective teams decide to get a head start on 2025.
