The Chicago Bears have opened the season with a shocking degree of balance. Instead of looking like a struggling defense being carried by an overpowered offense, Dennis Allen’s unit has held its own.
Nonetheless, the Bears continue to be mentioned among teams that might make a move before the November 10th trade deadline—especially when it comes to improving a maligned defensive line. Of course, a trade at the deadline would come in the middle of the bye week for Chicago, which is unusually convenient.
However, as teams make surprise moves in response to the season, Ryan Poles could easily decide to act more quickly than that as well. Therefore, we asked ourselves a few questions about potential trade targets, including who we want Chicago to trade for, who we want them to stay away from, and whether or not anything would actually shock us at this point. Up first is our wish list.
Who do you want Chicago to go after in the trade market and at what maximum cost?
Lester Wiltfong: Khalil Mack would be a lot of fun, and I think a fourth-round pick (plus a day-three sweetener) might be enough to get it done. Mack has a no-trade clause in his contract, so going to a city he knows, and that is also a contender, makes sense for both parties. Sure, he’s 35, but he’s still got it.
Bryan Orenchuk: I would love for them to bring in Jeffrey Simmons but I wouldn’t give up more than a 3rd rounder for him. Khalil Mack for a day 3 pick might make the most sense, though. And his return would be epic.
Erik Duerrwaechter: I truly want to see the Bears go after a game-wrecking DL, if one is available. While the saying, “no cost is too great,” for securing elite DL these days, I’d rather keep my first round pick for 2027 if possible. Only players of the same caliber as Jeffery Simmons would warrant such a deal. Swinging big on young players like Byron Young, Moro Ojomo, or Tuli Tuipulotu would be excellent too. If it’s Khalil Mack, then that’s a “yes” for me if it’s a day three pick. Josh Sweat is a good player that I’d be in the market for if the price doesn’t exceed a 2027 third round pick and a conditional 2028 pick.
Donald Gooch: The poetic beauty of it demands Khalil Mack. First, he’s still got it. Not the absolute game-breaker he was five years ago, but instantly the best defensive lineman on the Bears. Second, I think he can be had for a 4th or 5th round pick – and that’s as far as I would go in terms of cost. Return of the Mack. Make it happen.
Mongo Peanut: I want them to go after Jeffrey Simmons. I understand he is costly. I understand he is not super young. But he is possibly the most important and rare asset on a defense – a game-wrecking pass-rusher up the middle. He opens up everything for Dennis Allen, who I am concerned is going to have his blitzing tendencies bite him at some point.
Josh Sunderbruch: Chicago needs to improve its run defense, and Khalil Mack has had an average depth of tackle of 1.3 yards this season, only a slight increase from his 1.1 yards in 2025. For frame of reference, Maxx Crosby is at 1.3 yards for his career. Add in that Mack still has a pressure rate above 13%, and I think it’s obvious that he should come back to Chicago for another playoff push. I would love for Chicago to send a third-rounder and get a late Day 3 back, as this would motivate the Chargers to close the deal but also keep Chicago with the same number of overall selections.
Overall, it looks like there’s consensus around a few names among the contributors. Now it’s your turn–if Chicago is making calls about improving its defensive line, who do you want them to target and how much do you think they should offer?
