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The Chicago Bears are looking to maximize their title window over the next few years. After a run to the NFC Divisional Round last season, Chicago is now one of the top contenders in the NFC this year. However, Chicago’s championship roster isn’t quite complete yet. Their defense, in particular, is a potential cause of concern. It’s good, yes, but it’s not exactly a world-beater, a unit that can bail Caleb Williams out of his occasional bad decisions.
Because of that, the Bears should be buyers coming into this year’s trade deadline. Their primary focus should be to bolster their defensive line, which has been slightly below average this season. With that in mind, the Bears should try to trade for one of the premier pass-rushers in the league, Arizona Cardinals DE Josh Sweat.
Why Bears should pull the trigger on Josh Sweat trade
The Bears have one of the better defenses in the league this season, ranking seventh in yards allowed per game and sixth in points allowed per game. That comes off the backs of their elite run defense, where they rank seventh in the league as well. However, what’s truly holding them back is their defense against passing plays. They’re middle of the pack in passing yards allowed per game, ranking 14th.
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Part of it is due to the injuries that the Bears have suffered in the secondary: Kyler Gordon just made his return this week and made an immediate impact. However, Chicago also struggles this season to generate any meaningful pressure against opposing quarterbacks, at least when they’re rushing just four people. Chicago is fifth in the league in sacks through six weeks, but they also blitz at a high rate. It’s a high-risk strategy that’s working so far, but they need some stability in the pass-rush department.
Josh Sweat should be one of the cheaper options in the trade market this year, possibly needing a Day 2 or 3 draft pick to pry him off the Cardinals. He’s a good candidate for the Bears to target as they try to make their way up the NFL’s food chain.
Bears’ ideal trade package for Josh Sweat
Bears get: DE Josh Sweat, 2027 6th-round pick
Cardinals get: 2027 3rd-round pick
At 29 years old, Sweat is still in the middle of his prime. However, he’s having a bit of a down year in 2026. Through six games this season, Sweat has two sacks, nine pressures, and nine tackles. It’s a steep drop from his performance last season, where he recorded 12 sacks and 13 tackles for loss.
That being said, the Bears should bet on the possibility of Sweat being reinvigorated by joining a true title contender. There’s also the fact that Sweat would join a team that’s already pretty solid, despite their pressure numbers. A change of scenery should help the former Eagles pass-rusher find his groove again and decimate opposing offensive linemen.
As for the compensation the Bears need to give up, they have to be careful to not give up too much of their trade capital. Sweat isn’t exactly a building block that the team can rely on years from now. Instead of outright giving up a Day 2 draft pick for Sweat, the Bears should try to orchestrate a pick swap for the pass-rusher. Getting a sixth-rounder for their third-rounder is already good, but if they can get a fifth-round pick, that would be best.
In either case, the Bears need to try to bolster their defense ahead of what could possibly be a deep playoff run. Having a deep defensive line is one of the keys to success in the postseason.
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