Riding a three-game winning streak, above .500 at 3-2 and with a favorable schedule over the next month, the Chicago Bears can fancy themselves as a playoff contender right now. In the parlance of the Nov. 4 trade deadline, they belong on any list of possible buyers.
D'Andre Swift's performance in Week 6 against the Washington Commanders has set aside urgency for the Bears to trade for a running back. History says he won't be able to sustain it, but general manager Ryan Poles could pivot elsewhere on the trade market in an effort to fill greater needs.
Tyrique Stevenson has stepped up nicely as the Bears' No. 1 cornerback in place of the injured Jaylon Johnson. Johnson may be able to return late this season after undergoing core muscle surgery, but it's entirely possible he's out for the season regardless of where the Bears are in the playoff race.
Nahshon Wright deserves credit for stepping into a starting role in the wake of Johnson being out. But he is not a starting cornerback on a playoff contender, if said contending team can help it.
An ideal Bears trade target has come to the surface
Pro Football Focus' Bradley Locker mentioned the Bears as a potential fit for a few of his top 20 potential trade candidates ahead of the deadline. But one, New Orleans Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor, stands above the others for a key reason.
"Although little has been good about the Saints’ 2025 season, Taylor’s play has pointed upward. This year, he’s produced a career-best 69.5 PFF coverage grade. What also aids his value is inside-outside versatility, having played 1,239 or more snaps on the outside and in the slot."
"The Saints have demonstrated a willingness to move on from serviceable-to-good corners in recent years, including Marshon Lattimore and Paulson Adebo. If New Orleans doesn’t intend to pay Taylor this offseason, the 26-year-old could be sought after. Perhaps Dennis Allen would try to reunite with his former draft pick, or the Eagles could take a swing with a need at perimeter cornerback."
In proposing one trade each contending team should make, Garrett Podell of CBS Sports pointed to acquiring Taylor as the deal the Bears should make with the same ultimate reason.
"Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen made Taylor his first second-round pick as the Saints' coach (2022-24), so Taylor wouldn't need much time -- if any -- to acclimate in Allen's Chicago system. Taylor would fill a major need for the Bears for this season and potentially beyond, so general manager Ryan Poles should pick up the phone and see if he can get a deal done for Taylor."
Over three seasons under Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen (Allen was fired as Saints' head coach during last season), Taylor had 41 pass breakups. He had 75 or more total tackles in both 2023 and 2024, with 13 tackles for loss during those seasons. In 2023, he had four sacks. This year, he has posted by far the best PFF grade of his career.
The biggest challenge for any player who is traded midseason is learning a new system/new verbiage. Taylor would presumably have a minimal learning curve if the Bears acquired him, due to his familiarity with Allen's system, and he would fill a significant need since Johnson's ability to return this season is in doubt.
Read more: Bears offered trade mulligan to fix what's shaping up as a free agency mistake
One way or the other, Allen's familiarity with Taylor is the sure-fire tipping point for the Bears trying to acquire him. In a turn of scheduling fate, they will also get a close look at him on Sunday when the Saints pay a visit to Soldier Field.