ESPN Named Edge Rusher As Chicago's Trade Target
Dan Graziano of ESPN wrote in his annual bold predictions column that the Bears remain in the market for a stronger edge presence to line up opposite Montez Sweat, and that general manager Ryan Poles could ultimately address it through a trade.
Graziano didn't attach a specific name to the prediction, but he framed it around Poles' track record as an aggressive in-season trader, writing that Chicago's GM will "turn over every rock he can looking for an impact player up front."
The report followed a rocky summer at the position. The Bears signed veteran Marcus Davenport in August hoping he'd fill the void, only to release him in their initial round of roster cuts before bringing him back on the practice squad days later, a sign that internal options behind Sweat haven't inspired much confidence.
FINAL: The @ChicagoBears open the season with 59 points 😱 pic.twitter.com/70zoLgMZcy
— NFL (@NFL) September 13, 2026
Chicago also traded away interior lineman Gervon Dexter to the Falcons before the season, a move that helped their secondary but further thinned out their pass-rushing depth up front.
That's left Dayo Odeyingbo, still working his way back from a torn Achilles, along with 2024 fifth-rounder Austin Booker as the primary options next to Sweat, with names like Josh Sweat and Maxx Crosby floated around the league as the kind of proven veteran Chicago has been connected to in past speculation, even if neither situation has actually developed into real trade talks.
Week 1 Raised The Urgency
Sunday's opener against Carolina made the case for urgency in a way preseason speculation couldn't.
Chicago won the game 59-37, but that final score obscures a defensive performance that should worry anyone in the building.
The Panthers piled up 478 total yards at a whopping 7.7 yards per play. Carolina quarterback Bryce Young threw for 361 yards and three total touchdowns through the air, while Chicago's front generated only two sacks and struggled consistently to disrupt the pocket.
Chicago Bears next four Opponents:
— Bears on Real (@BearsOnReal) September 14, 2026
Vs Minnesota Vikings
Vs Philadelphia Eagles
Vs New York Jets
@ Green Bay Packers
What's our record heading into Week 6? pic.twitter.com/X9J6dWKAJE
The Bears' offense bailed out the defense by scoring at will themselves, six rushing touchdowns among them, but that's not a formula built to win consistently against better competition.
It puts real weight behind the idea that Poles won't wait until the trade deadline if the pass rush issues show up again the way they did in Week 1.
