Bears should rethink their plans ahead of the NFL trade deadline after getting a closer look at their revamped defense with Jeffery Simmons
The Chicago Bears already made one massive trade swing with Jeffery Simmons and could make another deal before the deadline. And one position stands out the most after Monday night’s win.
The Chicago Bears made a splash trade last week when the front office acquired Jeffery Simmons for a massive haul from the Tennessee Titans. After one game, the return on that large investment proved to be worth it.
Simmons was a game-changer in every definition on Monday night against the Seattle Seahawks. Not only was he himself a dominating force up the middle, he was also a multiplier that opened things up for the linebackers and Montez Sweat off the edge.
That’s the impact the Bears knew Simmons would bring to Chicago and it showed up immediately. When he was on the field, the Seahawks couldn’t do anything. However, when he was on the sideline, Seattle averaged over 13 yards per play, that’s a problem.
Which is why the Bears remain one of the teams to watch to potentially strike another deal on the defensive side of the ball ahead of the Nov. 10 trade deadline.
It’s obvious Chicago’s next trade move has to come at CB after Monday night’s performance
After Monday night’s game, it’s clear Chicago’s next move has to come at cornerback. Simmons’ presence changed things for the defensive front, but not so much in the secondary to the level the team was hoping for. Tyrique Stevenson and Jaylon Johnson were still major liabilities out there and the reason this game stayed close.
Neither players are starting-caliber outside cornerbacks anymore for this scheme. Stevenson allowed 82 yards on four receptions, including the 43-yard touchdown to Jaxon Smith-Njigba. He’s now up to 322 yards and a league-high five touchdowns allowed on the season. Johnson was just as bad and now has allowed the seventh-most yards among all cornerbacks (375). All three cornerbacks for the Bears had a sub 35.0 PFF coverage grade on Monday night.
I thought Simmons’ presence up-front was supposed to help things in the secondary? It did for the linebackers, and the two safeties. But Stevenson, Johnson, and Kyler Gordon were repeatedly targeted last night and flat out struggled.
This team needs coverage help bad at the cornerback position and that should be Ryan Poles’ next focus this week. Go get a starting-caliber cornerback whether it’s Riq Woolen, Kristian Fulton, Nahshon Wright, whoever. Find the right player and right price and make it happen. This seriously is a weak link that the Bears need to address now. If the unit faces an offense with more than one weapon, the cornerbacks are going to get exposed.
Don’t count out adding more help up-front, I just don’t think it’s the biggest need on this defense
While I believe the Bears’ top target needs to be a cornerback after watching Monday night’s game and seeing how Simmons elevated the defensive line, I’m still not ruling out another addition to the defensive front.
The Bears have reached out to the Los Angeles Chargers about Khalil Mack, and I believe those inquiries will continue regardless of how the Chargers feel. Joe Hortiz and Jim Harbaugh need to stop holding Mack hostage and send him to a contender. There’s no way I’ll believe Mack wants to remain on an 0-7 team, just look at the way Simmons relished being on a winning team for once last night.
Even if it’s not Mack, the Bears will be sniffing around for depth options off the edge. And depending on the injury severity for Kentavius Street (knee) and Grady Jarrett (groin), I also wouldn’t rule out a swing for a defensive tackle like Grover Stewart. Although the Bears do have Dayo Odeyingbo coming back soon from injury along with having Neville Gallimore, Jordan van den Berg, and Jayden Loving on the roster at defensive tackle.
