The Chicago Bears have been at the center of many trade talks lately, with many believing they will be big buyers at the trade deadline. So far, they are already missing out on some of the top players.
With two weeks to go until the trade deadline, the Indianapolis Colts were always going to be sellers since they are 2-5. They did just that, shipping eight-time All-Pro offensive guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks and three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers. The Colts ended up getting three draft picks from the Seahawks and 49ers combined.
Multiple reports said the Bears were in the running for both Nelson and Buckner but couldn't land either. That is an interesting note to make for the future, as Bears fans wait to see what general manager Ryan Poles does to improve the roster.
Ryan Poles off to a bad start with Bears missing out on Colts fire sale
First off, many Bears fans were stunned to hear they were considering trading for Nelson. With the team already having 2025 Protector of the Year Joe Thuney at left guard and Jonah Jackson (who is having a career season) at guard, that was an odd decision.
The only logical explanation would be that the Bears might be looking for a future replacement for Thuney. Nelson is three years younger than Thuney, and Thuney's performance has regressed this season. Maybe the Bears wanted to get younger on the offensive line?
Chicago being tied to Buckner wasn't much of a surprise, but it hurt even more not to get him. That was one of the Bears fans' favorite trades, as it would have helped at a position that has been good but not great.
Grady Jarrett and Kentavius Street have started at defensive tackle, but Jarrett is getting older, and the Bears could use a Pro Bowl talent at that position. Buckner would have been an ideal choice there.
Overall, it's massively disappointing that Poles couldn't work out a deal to land at least Buckner. The 49ers only sent a fourth-round pick for him. What a steal that would have been for the Bears if Poles had just struck on it.
Where do the Bears go from here?
Maxx Crosby should be at the top of the Bears' list of players they need to figure out how they can aquire him. The Las Vegas Raiders are going to want picks and with them losing four straight games, they might be more likely to take a second-round pick and another Day 3 pick to send Crosby to them.
Khalil Mack is still in the market to be traded as well. The Bears have been active in trying to trade for him over the last week or so. That would make sense to send a high Day 3 pick to the Los Angeles Chargers to make that trade happen easily.
Chicago needs to consider some options at cornerback to help with the problems they have with Jaylon Johnson and Tyrique Stevenson. Guys like Philadelphia Eagles' Riq Woolen or New York Jets' Nahshon Wright could be good options there.
Read more: D'Marco Jackson's stellar Week 7 performance should force future Bears change
Poles needs to act quickly and figure something out because the Bears are starting to miss the top trade candidates. They can't afford to lose anyone else on that list if they want to go for a Super Bowl title in 2026.
Add us as a preferred source on Google