The Chicago Bears made only one trade at the deadline, but was that one move enough to move the needle at EDGE?
Chicago executed a trade with the Cleveland Browns to acquire Joe Tryon-Shoyinka in exchange for a 2026 Day 3 pick. It wasn't quite a move that got Bears fans excited, but it at least filled a role that was needed after Dayo Odeyingbo tore his Achilles in Week 9 against the Cincinnati Bengals and is now lost for the season.
Tryon-Shoyinka is currently in the final year of his contract, and the Bears need to find a solution at edge to get them through the next few years. FanSided's Cody Williams's latest mock draft has Chicago selecting Auburn edge rusher Keldric Faulk with the 18th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
"Though the Bears did add Joe Tryon-Shoyinka at the deadline, he's a free agent after this season. But that push is another instance of the deadline highlighting short-term fixes for long-term needs. Chicago's defense needs more push up front and Keldric Faulk would fit wonderfully. He can be a bigger-bodied edge or put his hand on the line and be a presence that the Bears are lacking at the moment."
Faulk could be difference-maker Bears desperately need
Through nine games in the college football season, Faulk has racked up 25 tackles, five tackles for loss, three pass deflections, and two sacks. The Tigers are having a down year, and it shows in Faulk's numbers as he had 11 tackles for loss and seven sacks in 2024.
Those poor stats should not reflect on Faulk as a player, as he is still one of the top pass rushers in the draft. At 6-foot-6 and 285 pounds, Faulk has size and speed to compete at the NFL level and get pressure on the quarterback.
With many Bears fans getting tired already of Odeyingbo being inconsistent to begin his Bears tenure with three quarterback hits and one sack through eight games, Faulk would be a nice change of pace guy. He's also someone they can develop from the jump.
Unless Tryon-Shoyinka explodes to close out the season, don't expect him to be back next year, as he is more of a rental for the Bears. Faulk would provide Chicago with at least four years of consistency and depth on the defensive line behind Montez Sweat and Austin Booker.
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Defensive end will be one of the most important positions for the team to fill, and will have a perfect depth player in Faulk, who could eventually be a starter in the NFL.