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The Chicago Bears' emphatic primetime win over the Seattle Seahawks made one thing clear: the defensive line is no longer the team's Achilles' heel. For all 60 minutes on Monday night, that unit overwhelmed Seattle's offensive line, delivering an immediate return on the blockbuster acquisition of star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons.
With the defensive front suddenly transformed from a liability into a strength—and with the Los Angeles Chargers reportedly unwilling to engage in trade discussions—the Khalil Mack trade rumors that have consumed Bears fans for the past month should finally be put to rest. Instead, Chicago's top priority ahead of the Nov. 10 trade deadline ought to be its most glaring remaining flaw: the cornerback position.
Jaylon Johnson, once a two-time Pro Bowler for the Bears, is no longer performing at that level. According to Pro Football Focus, he is allowing a 113.1 passer rating when targeted, which ranks 82nd among 102 cornerbacks. Tyrique Stevenson has been even more vulnerable, surrendering a 140.9 passer rating—the fourth-worst mark in the league. If the Bears could acquire even one average cornerback to replace either starter, Dennis Allen's defense could become a true juggernaut.
Why Riq Woolen Makes Sense for Chicago
General manager Ryan Poles should reach out to Philadelphia's Howie Roseman about one of his recent free-agent additions: fifth-year veteran Riq Woolen. Selected 50th overall in the 2022 NFL draft, Woolen burst onto the scene as a rookie with a league-leading six interceptions and a Pro Bowl nod. It appeared the Seahawks had unearthed the next great lockdown corner, but he never replicated that success. Seattle opted not to re-sign him after his rookie contract, though he departed as a Super Bowl champion.
Woolen joined the Eagles in March on a one-year deal and has been perfectly adequate in Vic Fangio's scheme—no more, no less. Barring a dramatic second-half turnaround, Philadelphia seems unlikely to pursue a long-term extension, making him an ideal trade candidate. For the Bears, a 'perfectly adequate' corner would still represent a significant upgrade for the secondary. Woolen would likely push Stevenson to the bench or off the roster entirely, giving Chicago a starting trio of Kyler Gordon, Woolen, and Johnson—not elite, but certainly championship-caliber. Rookie fourth-round pick Malik Muhammad, who has earned a 74.7 impact grade from Pro Football Network, could also steal snaps from Johnson once healthy.
What a Trade Might Look Like
The Eagles have lost four straight and sit in last place in the NFC East, with their 2026 season unraveling further after Jalen Hurts was placed on season-ending injured reserve. That may prompt Philadelphia to deal supporting players for draft capital, and Woolen fits that mold. Since acquiring him would likely amount to a one-year rental, the Bears could probably complete a deal for a single Day 3 pick—perhaps a fifth-rounder, similar to the one Chicago received from Tennessee in the Simmons trade.