The Chicago Bears already made the move that defined their deadline: trading for defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. With two first-round picks and a fourth-rounder already committed, a quiet finish would not signal hesitation from general manager Ryan Poles; it would reflect the steep price Chicago has already paid to upgrade a roster built to contend now.
Locked On Bears host Lorin Cox argued that a second move would need to be a true difference-maker to justify more draft capital. Otherwise, Chicago could be better served by preserving its remaining flexibility and trusting the talent already in place.
The Simmons deal was not a minor adjustment. The Bears sent the Tennessee Titans 2027 and 2028 first-round selections plus a 2027 fourth-round pick, while receiving Simmons and a 2028 fifth-round pick. The All-Pro arrived as an immediate interior centerpiece, but the cost changes the calculation on every remaining defensive-line target.
Cox’s central point was simple: Chicago does not need another merely playable cornerback. The roster already has starting-caliber options when healthy, and a modest upgrade would not necessarily change the defense’s ceiling. Spending a meaningful Day 2 pick for depth or a marginal improvement would be difficult to justify after the Simmons investment.
The same logic applies at edge rusher. Defensive lineman Dayo Odeyingbo (thigh) remains on injured reserve, leaving edge rushers Montez Sweat and Austin Booker with more responsibility. Cox said a veteran rotational addition could help keep both players fresh, but he did not see a compelling case for Chicago to pay premium compensation for a longer-term pass-rush acquisition.
That is the problem with the Bears’ two clearest needs: quality cornerbacks and edge rushers rarely reach the market cheaply. Teams generally hold those players tightly, and any seller with a legitimate starter can demand draft capital that Poles may no longer want to surrender.
A lower-cost depth move would still fit. Cox pointed to the possibility of a late-round-pick addition at cornerback or along the defensive front, a transaction meant to protect against injuries rather than transform the lineup. That type of deal would complement the Simmons trade without treating every roster concern as another blockbuster opportunity.
The Bears have already declared their intentions with Simmons. Their next decision is whether the remaining market offers enough value to justify another sacrifice — or whether the smarter play is to let their biggest addition reshape the defense.
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