The Chicago Bears had a clear goal this offseason to improve the defensive side of the ball going into the second season under head coach Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.

The Bears spent some resources to update the unit adding in the likes of Devin Bush, Dillon Thieneman, and Malik Muhammad II who have all been standouts for this unit. Chicago also spent high dollar to add Coby Bryant, who is still rehabbing from a knee injury and hopefully will make his debut later in the season.

The process itself was questionable, though, with Allen prioritizing adding team speed in the backend and better coaching up-front to turn the unit around. After five weeks, it’s easy to see why people questioned that process because some of the same concerns are showing up.

Sure, the return of Kyler Gordon and eventually Bryant, along with better matchups can help things look better for this unit. But, if the Bears want to seriously contend for a title this season, general manager Ryan Poles is going to have to add a game-changer to this unit. And with no top cornerbacks out there on the market, that addition is going to have to come on the defensive line.

The case for Khalil Mack, and why it’s a deal the Bears should really consider

The ideal trade target for Chicago remains Khalil Mack, a player the Bears should have pushed harder for during free agency. A reunion in Chicago makes the most sense for all parties involved. Over the weekend, Jonathan Jones of The Athletic reported league sources see this as a deal that “makes sense” and it makes even more sense after the Los Angeles Chargers fell to 0-5 this weekend.

Mack is on his final years of his career and only signed a one-year deal with the Chargers, a large chunk of which they’ve already paid. He doesn’t want to go out on a team that doesn’t even contend for a playoff spot and that team is stuck in the mud right now.

Jones hinted that the asking price for Mack would be as low as a fifth-round pick. Using the A to Z Sports Trade Simulator, this is what would be considered a fair offer:

Bears Receive: DE Khalil Mack, 2027 seventh-round pick
Chargers Receive: 2027 fifth-round pick (pick the Bears acquired from Atlanta)

I believe Mack is the game-wrecker this defense needs. I’m not concerned about his age, this guy is still producing as we speak. Bears fans would welcome him back with open arms to inject a boost into this defense for one last ride and reunite him with Allen.

After the 2026 season, the Bears won’t have anything invested into this deal (cap or picks) and can then explore other ways to build up this unit long-term. It’s a short-term fix, but one worth swinging on.

The case for Josh Sweat, and why this option is more of a risk for Chicago even if it’s better long-term

The Arizona Cardinals have a proven pass rusher who doesn’t fit their timeline and could be sellers after also starting the season 0-5. That is why a trade for Cardinals edge rusher Josh Sweat is another option to consider.

Arizona is fighting for the first overall pick right now. Sweat deserves to play for a better team. He is a good edge rusher who had 12 sacks in 2025 after recording eight sacks with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024. If you ask me, he is a winning football player, and his skills would be better used on a roster that is trying to contend.

Here’s how this trade could look using the same simulator:

Bears Receive: DE Josh Sweat
Cardinals Receive: 2027 third-round pick and 2027 seventh-round pick

Chicago gets a younger and immediate upgrade at a premium position at a slightly higher cost, and Arizona adds more assets for a rebuild that needs as many as it can get. This isn’t a risk-free move for Chicago. Sweat has injury risk attached to him and he’ll be looking for another contract as well.

Even so, he is a very good player right now. The cost here is a third-round pick and a seventh-round pick is high, but a reasonable price for a proven pass rusher in the middle of his prime you can keep for more than one year.