Five players the Bears could trade during the 2026 NFL Draft if the price is right, including two players that got recent support
The Chicago Bears could look to make some deals later this week during the 2026 NFL Draft and could even move some players off the roster for more draft picks if the price is right.
The NFL Draft is always a busy time of year with phones ringing off the hook inside the war rooms for all 32 teams. Most trades involve teams moving up or down the board to land a desired prospect to collect more draft picks. Sometimes, draft day deals even involve moving players currently on the roster.
Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles is no stranger to making deals to maneuver the draft board, but has never traded for a player or traded away a player during the draft itself. So far, the Bears have made two trades this offseason. The first was sending veteran wide receiver DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills for the 60th overall pick. The second was trading a future Day 3 pick to the New England Patriots for center Garrett Bradbury.
Could Poles have some more moves up his sleeve later this week? Here are five in-house names to watch as trade options during the 2026 NFL Draft.
1. QB Tyson Bagent
Bagent was a popular name during the NFL Combine back in February when Poles confirmed teams had been in contact with the Bears regarding Bagent’s availability. The Bears have really strong feelings about Bagent and his impact on the team, but also recognize Bagent’s desire to be a starter one day.
“I love Tyson,” Bears head coach Ben Johnson said. “That’s one that kinda pulls at your heart strings a little bit because he’s someone that you care about so deeply and he’s a helluva football player. At some point, you want to see him have a chance to do it himself. We’ll always do what’s best for our team and our organization. I do think there’s a lot of merit to having a strong number two quarterback, which he certainly fits that bill. I’m of the mind that he’s probably one of the best 32 in the NFL.”
The main team to watch remains the Arizona Cardinals. The Cardinals showed interest in Bagent and are also high on Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. Simpson won’t be considered a target with the third overall pick, but the Cardinals are likely targeting Simpson with the 34th overall pick in the second-round and could even explore trading up to secure him. If another team snatches Simpson first, Arizona could easily pivot back to Bagent as a potential starting option.
2. DT Gervon Dexter Sr.
Gervon Dexter Sr. is another player that had reported interest during the NFL Combine but all talks were quickly brushed over due to the team’s lack of depth on the interior. Since then, the Bears signed Neville Gallimore, Kentavius Street, and James Lynch to one-year deals. That doesn’t necessarily make Dexter expendable, but it could if the Bears add another top DT option with the first two days of the draft.
Dexter is coming off a 6.0 sack season and entering the final year of his rookie deal, he also recently changed agents. He isn’t the ideal fit for Dennis Allen’s defense and there’s a strong shot he will play with a new team in 2027. I can see Dexter getting shipped for more picks if a team is interested and the Bears land a starting-caliber rookie.
3. RB Roschon Johnson
The Bears had high hopes for Roschon Johnson when the team drafted him in the fourth-round of the 2023 NFL Draft. At first, he seemed like a solid power back rushing for six touchdowns during his second season. Last year, however, Johnson played just four offensive snaps under Johnson’s new scheme.
Part of that is due to the Bears drafting Kyle Monangai as the new power back. But, the staff also liked what they saw from Brittain Brown. There’s also an outside shot Chicago drafts another back on Day 3 to be the clear RB3 behind D’Andre Swift and Monangai. All of which spells bad news for Johnson, who could be an option for a RB-needy backfield.
Two players with a stronger sense of security going into the draft
TE Cole Kmet
Veteran tight end Cole Kmet was floated all offseason as a potential trade target in Chicago given his current contract and 2026 cap hit . And that doesn’t even factor in Colston Loveland taking over as the team’s top tight end. However, Chicago’s longest-tenured offensive player got some security that he will remain with the team during his 2025 exit meeting with Poles and Johnson. However, never say never.
“I really take at their word what they say and they’re very honest guys,” Kmet said on Monday. “They expressed interest of me staying here and being here. But, I also understand if an offer comes across their plate for them to make a move or them to make a change, they would definitely do that. But, I never really felt like I’d be playing anywhere else this upcoming year.”
CB Tyrique Stevenson
Tyrique Stevenson is another player the Bears could consider moving to provide some cap relief for 2026. Stevenson’s had his fair share of ups and downs since entering the league and slowly phased out of the team’s defensive plans in 2025 in favor of Nahshon Wright. After letting Wright walk in free agency, the team is still showing they intend to keep developing Stevenson as a potential starter on the outside.
“He’s still growing, he’s still learning,” assistant GM Jeff King said on Tuesday. “He’s shown those flashes of being a great player, and we have a lot hope that through this offseason that he’s gonna get there. We saw him in the building yesterday. He looks great. He’s done a really good job this spring of getting in shape.”
