With these Ben Johnson-led Chicago Bears at 3-1 and thriving even in the midst of waiting on their franchise quarterback to return from injury, now is a great time to start thinking about how they can better this roster going forward.
The Bears are thinking Super Bowl, Caleb Williams is going to come back, and the defense is playing well. But, what if that defense could be playing even better?
Once upon a time, the Miami Dolphins went absolutely nuclear, blowing up their roster in what some fans dubbed the "tank for Tua" era.
Ridding their roster of names like Jarvis Landry, Laremy Tunsil, Robert Quinn, Ryan Tannehill, and Minkah Fitzpatrick all in a year or so's time, the Dolphins fully embraced the suck.
Right now, we've got the Los Angeles Chargers sitting at 0-4 and looking like they could drop their next three games, too, bringing them into a very dark place. Will the Chargers end up taking a page out of Miami's book? Could they do the unthinkable and trade Justin Herbert?
Maybe.
But, there's an even more real possibility of the team trading away a few other players in effort to completely reset as they go into 2027, and the Bears could take advantage.
The Bears could look at 3 realistic trade targets if the Chargers go into full-on sell mode
Khalil Mack, EDGE
The biggest and most obvious name is Khalil Mack, who is no stranger to Chicago nor the fan base. In fact, Bears fans have dreamt of a Mack reunion for over a year now. He chose to come back to the Chargers on a 1-year contract this past offseason, but that's also what makes him the perfect trade candidate for Chicago at this very moment.
Mack's contract, combined with his age (35), makes his price extremely affordable. I wouldn't assume the Bears have to give up more than a fifth or sixth rounder to land him.
And, this season, Mack is playing out of his mind. He is on pace for the most quarterback pressures he's had in a season since 2019 -- with the Bears. He's also notched 3.0 sacks in four games.
Adding Mack to a group with a budding breakout player like Austin Booker, and a rejuvenated Dayo Odeyingbo playing both outside and inside, and then of course Montez Sweat, would give the Bears exactly what they needed.
Their pass rush wouldn't necessarily be the best in the league, but the Bears are currently fourth-worst in pressure rate, this season. That number would have to increase, and the Bears' defense as a whole would benefit greatly.
Tuli Tuipulotu, EDGE
Staying on the same page but going with a much younger and more expensive option, here, the Bears could look at 24-year-old pass rusher Tuli Tuipulotu.
The former second-round pick out of Ohio State was someone Bears fans might remember wanting back in the 2023 NFL Draft not too long ago. A Pro Bowler last year, Tuipulotu is in the fourth year of his rookie deal. So, if the Bears trade for him, they do so knowing they'll have to pay him next offseason. Otherwise, there's no point in trading for a one-year rental of a player who will cost more than Mack.
On the season, Tuipulotu has 2.0 sacks and eight pressures. For context, Mack has 10 pressures.
Between Mack and Tuipulotu, Mack makes the most sense. But, both are worth looking at.
Cam Hart, CB
The Bears' cornerback room is a curious one right now. Tyrique Stevenson has played poorly and fans would love to see him benched in favor of Malik Muhammad once a viable slot replacement surfaces -- hopefully that's Kyler Gordon, very soon.
But, Cam Hart is another strong option in terms of a player they could trade for if more depth at cornerback is needed. The 2024 fifth-round pick is allowing a career-best 71.6 opposing quarterback rating and already has four pass breakups in four games.
This would be the type of move to make if the Bears were undoubtedly done with the Stevenson charade and if they weren't completely confident in Gordon's health.
Muhammad and Jaylon Johnson look like the only two corners this team can count on right now, with Johnson having a rough start to the season and still having a ways to go if he's going to be back to his old self.
Read more: Caleb Williams' Week 5 injury status has everyone asking the same question
Hart could provide the depth Bears fans thought they were getting in Clark Phillips, who hasn't played on defense yet since being dealt to Chicago prior to the season.
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