The NFL trade deadline has come to a close and we saw two trades go down this week in the NFC North. The Detroit Lions landed safety Andre Cisco to help bolster its secondary and the Minnesota Vikings reunited with Kirk Cousins to stabilize their QB position.

Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears stayed quiet this week amid all of the moves made in the division, and in the NFC as a whole. Yet, the Bears still came out of the deadline with the biggest fish in the competition and should feel really good about where they stand.

Chicago Bears did not make another swing at the deadline, but still feel good about where they’re at

It’s not like the Bears did nothing all week. Chicago was heavily rumored to be in the market for a cornerback and I’m sure general manager Ryan Poles was working the phones trying to find something that made sense. Ultimately, nothing materialized, and that doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing. Better to make no trade than a bad one.

“I think Ryan’s doing a phenomenal job every day,” head coach Ben Johnson said. “He’s going through and seeing how we can improve this roster, what we need the most of. The coordinators are certainly talking every day right now just where their concerns lie within the roster.”

As things stand, the Bears still field a very competitive, and deep, roster. This team is 7-2, atop the hardest division in football, and have an extended break to rest and improve until the team’s next game on Nov. 22. The Bears are in a fantastic spot right now.

“I feel really confident about the guys that we have in this locker room right now that I think they’ve proven at this point that we can find a way to win each and every week with this crew,” Johnson added.

The Chicago Bears already made their big swing with Jeffery Simmons

Going back to the big fish, the Bears easily made the most notable since in the entire league trading two first-round picks and more for defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. It’s clear after two games in Chicago that it was a worthwhile swing. Simmons has been a game-changer for this team and kudos to Poles for making that deal happen.

“I think that there are game changers out there that as an offensive play caller, you’ve got to account for… I think Jeffery’s one of those guys and we’re very fortunate to have him,” Johnson explained last week. “It’s a long season and yet I think he’s going to be one of those guys. Even you come in on a Wednesday, not everyone’s feeling great and he’s going to be able to provide some juice there also. So I’m excited to have him.”

Not only has Simmons been a strong presence in his own right, on the field and off it, he’s also been a multiplier. He’s raised the standard in that building within two weeks and has made the job much easier for multiple players on the field.

“Why does he raise the level of other guys around him? Because when your best players work the way that he works, the way that he practices, prepares the way that he prepares, and then plays the game the way that he plays, you don’t have a choice but to raise your level,” defensive coordinator Dennis Allen said.

The Chicago Bears aren’t done adding just because the trade deadline is over

Just because the trade deadline is over doesn’t mean the Bears are done adding to this roster. Today, the Bears had veteran defensive tackle Jordan Elliott in the building for a workout, a player that is a strong run-defender and could join the roster saying everything checked out and the coaches give him the stamp of approval.

After the bye week, the Bears are also hoping to get key players back from injury such as Kyle Monanagai, Dayo Odeyingbo, Malik Muhammad II, hopefully Tyrique Stevenson, and eventually Coby Bryant. Not to mention other free agents the team could eventually bring in (I would watch out for the New York Jets out-right releasing Nahshon Wright after failing to trade him).

Moral of the story is, the Bears are in an incredible spot and still have options to continue adding to this team. The job didn’t stop at 3:00 p.m. CT, it’s just getting started.