The Chicago Bears season has gone from having fun beating up on bottom-of-the-barrel teams to losing to the Washington Commanders in embarrassing fashion. There are a few positions the Bears could look to upgrade to allow them to compete for a playoff spot, one being adding another pass rusher. General Manager Ryan Poles is known for being aggressive at the trade deadline, and this year could be no different. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune recently spoke with assistant GM Ian Cunningham, who highlighted the offensive line and pass rusher as positions to watch on the trade market. That said, here are some potential pass rushers the Bears could target in a trade.
Ravens, Browns, Broncos Could Trade a Pass Rusher to the Bears
Za’Darius Smith
NFL Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero highlighted Cleveland Browns pass rusher Za’Darius Smith as a likely trade candidate. With the Browns sitting at 2-6 and at the bottom of the AFC North, moving on from a veteran like Smith could be a smart choice. Rapoport and Pelissero noted that multiple teams have shown interest in Smith, with the Bears might be one of those teams. Despite being 32, Smith remains productive, ranking 46th out of 191 pass rushers according to PFF, with an underrated season tallying five sacks and 22 total tackles. Given his age and the Browns’ situation, the Bears might be able to acquire him for minimal draft capital. While it would be a short-term fix, Smith would bring valuable experience and could form a strong duo with Montez Sweat.
Baron Browning
Denver Broncos linebacker Baron Browning is another trade candidate, according to Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. Browning, a converted off-the-ball linebacker, has versatility as both a linebacker and pass rusher. Last season, Browning had 4.5 sacks playing in a pass-rushing role. Unfortunately, his playing time has dwindled in Denver and could use a change of scenery. With this being his contract year, the Broncos might opt to trade Browning if they don’t see him in their long-term plans. As for the Bears, he’s only 25 years old and could be a long-term solution in Chicago. If the two teams reach a deal, Browning could be a valuable addition to the Bears’ defensive lineup.
David Ojabo
Baltimore Ravens pass rusher David Ojabo hasn’t quite lived up to expectations as a second-round pick. Last week against the Browns, he was a healthy scratch for the first time in his career. After battling injuries over his first two seasons, Ojabo has never been given a full opportunity to show why he’s a capable pass rusher in the NFL. This season, he’s seen limited action, with a snap percentage of just 32%, sitting behind players like Odafe Oweh, Kyle Van Noy, and former Bear Yannick Ngakoue on the depth chart. It’s becoming clear that Ojabo might not be part of the Ravens’ long-term plans, and a change of scenery could benefit him. At only 24 years old, Ojabo would be a promising, low-risk investment for the Bears, giving him a fresh start and potentially providing Chicago with a high-upside addition to their defense.
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