The Chicago Bears turned the dial up on themselves in terms of trade deadline intrigue with their big win over the Seattle Seahawks following the blockbuster deal for Jeffery Simmons, and one NFL insider believes a move for Riq Woolen would be prudent.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano noted the Bears are “still poking around on potentially available cornerbacks” with the deadline approaching on November 10.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler agreed with that read on the situation and suggested Woolen among the options.
“The Bears have been linked to edge rushers such as Khalil Mack, but a few league evaluators told me what you heard — that cornerback is becoming more of a need,” Fowler wrote on November 4, noting “up-and-down moments” from Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson, as well as the rookie status of top cover corner Malik Muhammad.
“Washington’s Mike Sainristil is a name that has circulated this week, though I don’t get the sense the Commanders plan to trade him. An available corner such as the Eagles’ Riq Woolen for a Day 3 pick could make sense.”
Bears Floated as Trade Deadline Destination for Eagles CB Riq Woolen
Riq Woolen Name-Dropped as Fitting Bears Trade Target
Sainristil and Woolen are two completely different style of corners, and the latter profiles as a better fit for what the Bears want to do.
The 6-foot-4 Woolen won a Super Bowl with the Seahawks in 2025, largely in a reserve role.
However, he is a former Pro Bowler and led the NFL in interceptions as a rookie Pro Bowler with 6 before seeing his role reduced in his final year with the defending champs. He has struggled with the Eagles, allowing a career-high 60% completion, per Pro Football Reference.
Still, Woolen has started all eight games for the Eagles entering Week 9, and he could present a fitting alternative to running it back with 2025 Pro Bowler Nahshon Wright.
Wright has been unable to see the field with the New York Jets this season.
Woolen, 27, was a fifth-round pick by the Seahawks, taken with 153rd overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft. He has 233 combined tackles, 12 interceptions, 5 fumble recoveries, 2 forced fumbles, a 1 defensive touchdown (INT) in 72 career games, including 61 starts.
Sainristil, a college teammate of Bears tight end Colston Loveland, was taken 50th overall in 2024 by the Washington Commanders. He has 196 total tackles, 6 interceptions, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 recovery in 41 career games (32 starts).
The 5-foot-10 Sainristil is smaller than all of the Bears’ top corners, including Muhammad.
He is roughly the same size as Clark Phillips, whom the Bears acquired from the Atlanta Falcons before the season. Phillips has only logged double-digit snaps one time this season, and that was in Week 6 against his former team.
Bears QB Could Draw Trade Interest
There was some buzz about Tyson Bagent being a potential trade target for the Baltimore Ravens amid the loss of Lamar Jackson to IR. The move would reunite him with former Bears offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, who holds the same role in Baltimore.
However, Bears QB3 Case Keenum could also be of interest to teams before the trade deadline passes.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano does not expect the Bears to move players, but name-dropped Keenum.
“Teams always need QB help, and Keenum showed a little something earlier this season in relief of Caleb Williams,” Graziano wrote in an article on November 4, adding, “For the right offer, who knows?”
Keenum looked better operating head coach Ben Johnson’s offense during his one start in place of an injured Williams for one game than Bagent did through most of his two-plus outings as QB1.
The Bears would be wise to hold onto both lest another team makes an offer they cannot refuse.
Leave a Reply