Bears have 3 painfully obvious trade targets they must consider in the offseason

The Chicago Bears will have options this offseason in trade talks, and everyone wants general manager Ryan Poles to get something done.

Even with the pass-rush struggles last year, it was a massive disappointment for the fan base not to land a marquee defensive end. Instead, the Bears recorded 35 sacks in 17 games last year, placing them in the bottom 10 in the NFL.

Another concern was that the secondary struggled against the pass, finishing 22nd, allowing 227.2 passing yards per game. C.J. Gardner-Johnson was added about midway through the season, with Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon injured. While Gardner-Johnson played well and got better production from Nahshon Wright, the secondary was still up and down in performance.

Entering the offseason, the Bears have key players like Kevin Byard, Jaquan Brisker, Gardner-Johnson, and Wright as free agents. With the concern about getting a pass rusher still there as well, Chicago will have some options to execute a trade.

Bears have three prime targets to trade for

Bleacher Report writer Alex Ballentine went through all 32 NFL teams and their top three trade targets. Here is who he has the Bears needing to target in the offseason for a trade:

Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders DE
Budda Baker, Arizona Cardinals S
Kayvon Thibodeaux, New York Giants EDGE

"The biggest name that will likely be attached to them throughout the trade season is Maxx Crosby. There was clearly tension between the star pass-rusher and the Raiders at the end of the season. The Bears got 10 sacks out of Montez Sweat, but they could still use another dominant defensive end to pair with him.

If taking on Crosby's massive contract would be an issue then a player like Kayvon Thibodeaux would also be a good target. Brian Burns and Abdul Carter are the clear 1-2 punch in New York. The former fifth-overall pick could potentially use a change of scenery to get back to the 11.5-sack form he showed in 2023.

Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker are both slated to become free agents. If the Bears can't retain both then safety could become a priority. Budda Baker has been in and out of the trade rumor mill over the last few seasons. He could be available if he's not wanting to go through another coaching change in Arizona."

Crosby is at the top of everyone's list for trades, but the Bears have been connected with him since the offseason began. Putting him with Montez Sweat would form one of the best pass-rushing duos in the NFL. If worst comes to worst, Thibodeaux makes for a good backup that can grow within the Bears' defensive system, being that he is still young.

Byard still seems like an easy signing choice for the Bears, but Baker would make more sense to trade for than Brisker, and give the safety position consistency. Chicago wouldn't have to give up a lot to get Baker, so that could be a good move for them.