As Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson spoke with local media for the first time in Week 8, an NFL insider report about general manager Ryan Poles’ plans was making the rounds on social media.
Johnson acknowledged that he and Poles have had discussions ahead of the trade deadline. It falls on November 10 this year.
Johnson, obviously, did not get into specifics.
He did, however, say that they are exploring opportunities. They hope those potential moves would help them not just this season, but also beyond. That statement alone could remove some of the speculative targets off the big board.
“There’s a lot going on. It’s certainly Ryan’s domain. And yet, we have constant dialogue of what this team needs, and where we can impact ourselves not just this year but years in the future as well. So, he’s turning over every stone that he possibly can to improve this football team, just like he has ever since I’ve gotten in this building,” Johnson said on Wednesday.
“Feel really good about our process, and we’ll see what happens. Never know.”
The player most frequently mentioned in connection with the Bears is Khalil Mack of the Los Angeles Chargers. He does not fit that description.
That is in addition to his potential mismatch in Dennis Allen’s defense. The Bears must be and surely are taking all of that into consideration when exploring trade options before the deadline passes.
Ben Johnson Gets Honest Amid Bears Trade Rumor
Bears Expected to Explore Trade Market for ‘Defensive Help’
In addition to speculation regarding Mack’s potential return, the Bears were also rumored to be interested in left guard Quenton Nelson and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner. That was before they landed with the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers, respectively, in trades on Tuesday.
However, they are also not expected to stop there.
“#Bears remain active on the defensive side,” The Schultz Report’s Jordan Schultz reported on X on October 28.
NFL.com’s Gennaro Filice believes the Bears “need” a “disruptor on the defensive front.” He cited the D-line being their perceived “Achilles’ heel” coming into the 2026 season. That was the case even before the Bears traded Gervon Dexter Sr. to the Atlanta Falcons in September.
“The Bears’ defense has exceeded expectations through six weeks by ranking sixth in points allowed and seventh in total D. But one underlying metric — the unit’s 31st-ranked mark of 6.03 yards per play allowed — strongly suggests Dennis Allen is achieving success through smoke and mirrors. Eventually, the truth will come out, and I’m afraid it won’t be pretty,” Filice wrote on October 22, noting they could need help at corner.
“But I think the more pressing issue is the underwhelming group up front. Montez Sweat is currently serving the second week of a two-game suspension, but even when he returns, the Bears’ second-highest-paid player (behind [Jaylon] Johnson) is no longer a true difference-maker on the defensive line. And neither is the team’s third-highest-paid player, DT Grady Jarrett.”
Sweat returned to the Bears this week, but the rest of the key players in Filice’s assessment remain in place.
What that means for Johnson, Poles, and the Bears roster remains to be seen. Less than two weeks remain until the 2026 trade deadline.
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