Bears got exactly what they needed from one player to quiet trade talks, but one injury might still force Ryan Poles’ hand at the deadline
Austin Booker shined in Week 9 but the injury to Dayo Odeyingbo is massive.
The Chicago Bears had a key evaluation game to watch closely in Week 9 against the Cincinnati Bengals with one position group in particular with the NFL trade deadline rapidly approaching.
Through the first seven games of the season, Chicago’s pass rush had been inconsistent particularly when it came to generating one-on-one pressure off the edge. Since the bye week, star defensive end Montez Sweat has turned on a different gear and held up his end of the bargain but more was still expected out of the entire unit.
In Week 9, the Bears finally made the decision to activate Austin Booker from the injured reserve, a second-year player who had a stellar start to the preseason the team had high hopes for. With Booker back, it also gave defensive coordinator Dennis Allen the opportunity to move Dayo Odeyingbo inside on passing downs, an area that was clearly a better fit for his abilities as a pass rusher.
Coming out of Week 9’s game, the Bears saw what they expected to see out of Booker to quiet the trade talk for adding another pass rusher, but a situation out of the team’s control now makes the trade talk heat up even hotter than before.
Austin Booker shined in Week 9 return but the Bears lost Dayo Odeyingbo in the process
In his first game back, Booker played 37 defensive snaps and finished the game with one pressure. A play in which Booker long-armed around the left tackle in a one-on-one and forced a key strip sack against quarterback Joe Flacco. The same kind of highlight play Booker was making all preseason.
But, the biggest story coming out of the game was the loss of Odeyingbo, who was injured and left the game after 37 defensive snaps. Odeyingbo reportedly suffered an ankle injury and was seen wearing a boot and walking with crutches after the game.
On Monday, NFL insider Ian Rapoport confirmed the worst. Odeyingbo had suffered a torn Achilles, knocking him out for the rest of the season, and ending the first year of his three-year, $48 million contract he signed with Chicago in free agency.
Is it time for Ryan Poles to get aggressive at the trade deadline again?
After the loss of Odeyingbo, the Bears are now without three defensive linemen going into Week 10. Last week, rookie Shemar Turner suffered a season-ending torn ACL and edge rusher Dominique Robinson suffered a high ankle sprain. It’s worth noting Robinson was not placed on the injured reserve, a sign the team expects him to hopefully be back within the next two weeks.
This leaves Chicago with three healthy pure defensive ends in Sweat, Booker, and Daniel Hardy.
Entering Week 9, NFL insider Jay Glazer mentioned the Bears as a team that could be aggressive by Tuesday’s 4:00 pm EST trade deadline with a win, with eyes on improving the pass rush. Following a win, and Odeyingbo’s season-ending injury, that aggressiveness weighs even more.
General manager Ryan Poles made a splash in 2023 adding Sweat at the deadline giving up a second-round selection plus handing out a sizeable extension. Poles isn’t expected to be THAT aggressive in finding help off the edge this time around but a move could be in the works.
There’s multiple options out there potentially on the block including Matt Judon, Jermaine Johnson, Dre’Mont Jones, Arden Key, Bradley Chubb, and others to consider. Finding the right player for the right price will be key in this situation and we’ll see if Poles makes a move before tomorrow.
Chicago Bears News
Bears win in Week 9 gives Chicago one last incentive to make an aggressive play before the deadline and bolster the defense
Will Ryan Poles make another mid-season trade before Tuesday’s deadline?
