The Chicago Bears have been criticized for not addressing the pass rush position this offseason following a season where they totaled just 35 sacks, the seventh-fewest in the NFL.
While Montez Sweat enjoyed a bounce-back year with his first double-digit sack season in Chicago, there wasn’t a lot of production elsewhere amid injuries. Austin Booker missed the first half of the season with a knee injury, but when he returned he flashed impressive potential and could be a dominant player in 2026. Meanwhile, the Bears’ big free-agent addition from last year, Dayo Odeyingbo, mustered just one sack before suffering a torn Achilles in Week 9.
The Bears are always looking to improve the roster, so you have to wonder if they’d consider this hypothetical trade. Bleacher Report explored some hypothetical three-team trades, including Chicago acquiring Arizona Cardinals edge rusher Josh Sweat. As compensation, the Bears send tight end Cole Kmet to the Carolina Panthers and a 2027 Day 3 pick to the Cardinals.
Compensation
Their reasoning
Kristopher Knox: “In this hypothetical trade, the Cardinals get solid compensation by sending Sweat to the Chicago Bears and involving the Carolina Panthers. Chicago needs to bolster a pass rush that recorded just 35 sacks last season. The Bears also have a potential trade chip in tight end Cole Kmet, who may no longer have a prominent role with the Bears. He was previously Chicago’s primary receiving tight end, but that role now belongs to Colston Loveland. The Bears also just drafted tight end Sam Roush in the third round.”
Our thoughts
The Bears need more from their pass rush this season, and general manager Ryan Poles appears to be banking on last year’s returning injured players stepping up rather than taking a big swing during free agency or the NFL draft. Austin Booker did record 4.5 sacks in 10 games, so with a full healthy season, Booker is primed for a potential breakout opposite Montez Sweat. Dayo Odeyingbo and Shemar Turner are also making their returns, and the hope is they provide some pass rush help. While this trade doesn’t feel like a move that Chicago would make right now, there’s no denying the duo of Sweat and Sweat could be an impactful one off the edge for this Dennis Allen defense.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Chicago Bears land impact edge rusher in hypothetical 3-team trade
Reporting by Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire | USA TODAY Network
