Are you still in shock over the Jeffery Simmons trade? I'd venture to guess most Chicago Bears fans feel that way, for one reason or another.
On Thursday, Ryan Poles went out and sent a message to the rest of the NFL as he and the Bears pulled off a trade for Jeffery Simmons, sending two first-round picks and a fourth-round pick to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for Simmons and a fifth-rounder.
Many immediate reactions included that this is a package that's a little too rich. A pair of first-round picks is a heavy price for any player, but Simmons is indeed a game changer. So, if the Bears win a Super Bowl, all other reactions become irrelevant.
Another reaction, and more so a question, though, is whether or not the Bears are done?
Does the Simmons trade make it so that the Bears don't pursue a reunion with pass rusher Khalil Mack?
A Khalil Mack trade can still happen, and still makes sense for the Bears
First and foremost, anybody who thinks Mack's price tag would be higher than a Day 3 pick, I've got news for you: it wouldn't.
The Athletic's Jonathan Jones reported the thinking that it would only cost a fifth-round selection for the Chargers to part ways with the 35-year-old.
Ironically enough, the Bears also received a 2028 fifth-round pick from the Titans in the deal for Simmons. Not only is that pick far enough out, but it's also only a fifth-rounder.
If the Bears were able to get Mack, as well, he'd join a group featuring Montez Sweat, Dayo Odeyingbo, Austin Booker and Daniel Hardy.
Odeyingbo is currently on injured reserve, but he'll be back. Sweat is also returning from his two-game suspension this week, giving Chicago some reinforcement.
All in all, this is what the full trade could end up looking like:
Booker has had some excellent moments this year, and I think we can say his breakout is officially in progress as he's totaled 4.0 sacks and 13 pressures on the season.
The player who would take more of a back seat, especially when Odeyingbo comes back, is likely Hardy.
But, Hardy has also had some great moments this year (1.5 sacks in the past two games), so does it make sense to relegate him back to the bench altogether?
Not necessarily.
A Khalil Mack trade could force a necessary, creative wrinkle from Dennis Allen
Remember, before Odeyingbo got hurt, the Bears had been using him both on the outside and inside. He showed an ability to be productive when lined up inside and was able to give the Bears an interior rusher at times.
So, instead of taking playing time completely away from a player like Hardy, the Bears really could utilize Odeyingbo on the interior more often than not. In that case, it's likely a player such as James Lynch or Neville Gallimore who sees reduced playing time, and that's O.K., considering the upgrades ahead of them.
Chicago's defense would have Mack, Sweat, Booker, and Hardy as their primary guys rushing from the end spot. On the interior, they've got Grady Jarrett, Simmons, Odeyingbo, and Kentavius Street.
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I'd say that sounds like a much better front than Bears fans thought they would have a couple of months ago, especially with the likes of Booker, Hardy, and Odeyingbo stepping up.
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