Although it usually doesn't have the same excitement of the MLB or NBA trade deadline, the NFL's version is just 8 days away. This is a team's last chance to improve their team or to make up for off-season miscalculations.
Like many teams, the Chicago Bears need to do both of those. Yet again, the Bears tried to enter an NFL season with a terrible defensive line. They seem to have missed the memo that being able to pressure the quarterback without blitzing gives a team a huge advantage.
Luckily for the Bears, there are some teams who made even worse mistakes over the past few years. And now those teams are ripe for the picking in order to put lipstick on the pig that is the Bear's defense.
Probably the best example of this is the Los Angeles Chargers. Three years ago they made the franchise wrecking decision to hire Jim Harbaugh. If there is anyone cut out for the scum bag world of college sports, it is Harbaugh. In college, you can get by on being a ra ra weirdo who thinks you shouldn't eat chicken because it is a nervous animal. You can cheat your way to a "Championship" and suffer absolutely no penalty at all... as long as an NFL owner is dumb enough to fall for your bullshit. Well the Chargers fell for it hook line and sinker and now they are the laughing stock of the NFL. Poor Just Herbert has had his career ruined. That joke of an organization has stuck him with five different offensive coordinators in his six years in the league. Luckily he got paid before the doors really fell off. But anyway, back to what they have to offer.
Th Chargers have two prime trade candidates. They happen to be at two of the biggest holes in the Bears' team. The Chargers have two guys on one year deals who deserve to get out from under that con-man Harbaugh. Both defensive end Khalil Mack and corner back Donte Jackson would look great in Chicago Bears uniforms.
Both players are good enough to improve the Bears without costing the Bears an arm and a leg. I would imagine a 4th and a 6th round pick could pry away both players form the Chargers who are going nowhere and who will lose both guys for nothing after this season.
Mack's estimated pressure rate is about 10.7%, calculated from 16 pressures on 149 pass-rush snaps in PFF's data. Other source places him at 4.3 pressures per 100 total snaps, ranking 31st among 141 edge rushers. Those are both significantly better than anyone on the Bears. he also continues to stop the run. So Mack would be an instant upgrade over anyone currently on the Bears' roster.
As far as Donte Jackson goes, he's not great... but he doesn't suck as much as the current Bears cornerbacks so he'd also be a huge upgrade. Compared to Jaylon Johnson, Jackson has better 2026 grades in both overall defense and coverage. Johnson has struggled statistically this season, despite his strong past reputation.
Compared to Tyrique Stevenson, Jackson has the edge in both grades, and the 94.1 passer rating allowed is considerably lower than Stevenson's 140.7.
Hey Bears! Get on the freaking phone and get these guys ASAP!