The NFL Trade Deadline is two weeks away. And while some moves are already in the books, more could still be on the horizon. Based on recent history, there is an expectation that the Chicago Bears will kick the tires on some deadline-beating moves.

In General Manager Ryan Poles’ first year, the team traded for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Chase Claypool with eyes on bolstering the offense around quarterback Justin Fields. A year later, Poles used the trade deadline to reel in Montez Sweat in a trade to give the defense the kind of game-wrecking pass rusher who can elevate the defense. Given that history, it is understandable why there is a belief that Poles and the Bears front office could strike again to fill needs on a team trying to find an angle to make a postseason run.

But in a post at The Athletic in which team beat writers ask what every squad should do at the trade deadline, Adam Jahns believes standing pat “feels right” for the Bears:

Here’s the thing: the Bears can be buyers and sellers. It wouldn’t be surprising if the team moved running back Khalil Herbert or guard Nate Davis for draft picks. It also wouldn’t be surprising if the Bears traded some draft capital for help on their defensive line. Standing pat feels right, though. The Bears open the 2025 draft with a first-round pick and two in the second. It’s best to keep those picks for real investment in their trenches on both sides of the ball.

Late last week, we discussed rumors suggesting that running back Khalil Herbert and offensive lineman Nate Davis could be on the trade block. And on Sunday, both players appeared as names reportedly generating trade interest, according to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport. So, Jahns mentioning that Herbert or Davis could be shopped and shipped out for draft picks is noteworthy. Let’s watch those names as we approach the Nov. 5 trade deadline.

As for standing pat, I don’t hate the idea. Don’t get me wrong. My preference would be for the Bears to be active and aggressive. However, I am strongly against the idea of making a move just to say you did something. I’ve seen action get mistaken for progress far too often.

It sounds like the Bears might stand pat, but…

What I find notable about surveying the media landscape is that Jahns isn’t alone in thinking the Bears should stand pat. This video featuring CHSN’s David Haugh gives off vibes that Chicago’s football team might not be ultra-aggressive going into the trade deadline:

“I think they’re open for conversations. I don’t see them being terribly aggressive.”

.@DavidHaugh talks Bears’ trade deadline scenarios and who they may target. pic.twitter.com/wMdRldKfae— Bears on CHSN (@CHSN_Bears) October 16, 2024

“You can always improve your team and your roster. It’s a very difficult roster to make, as Ryan Poles said. I think they’re open for conversations. I don’t see them being terribly aggressive.”

For what it’s worth, Haugh mentions the Bears could use offensive line help while simultaneously pointing out the challenges in getting a new offensive lineman up to speed and working cohesively with new teammates as a possible hurdle in the way of finding the right fit. He also mentions a trio of high-profile pass-rushers (Cleveland’s Myles Garrett, Las Vegas’ Maxx Crosby, and Haason Reddick of the New York Jets) as players who could make their way onto the trade block. And if that is the case, then I hope the Bears make their way into discussions.

I don’t disagree with Haugh’s sentiment that the Bears aren’t a great pass-rusher away from the Super Bowl. However, adding someone like Myles Garrett or Maxx Crosby could shift the odds in Chicago’s favor. If this front office can swing a trade for an impact pass-rusher in the prime of their career, at the peak of their powers, and under contract for the next few years while quarterback Caleb Williams is on his rookie contract, they should do it. Full stop.

The Khalil Mack trade from 2018 not only provides a template for what a trade could look like, but it also shows the type of impact that type of move can make for an upstart team like the Bears appear to be six weeks into the 2024 season. The timing on the Mack trade was spot on, so former Bears GM Ryan Pace should get credit for that move. Unfortunately, choosing the wrong quarterback (I say that with all due respect to Michell David Trubisky) and kicker (that double-doink still haunts Bears fans to this day) sunk everything.

Ultimately, maximizing the roster around QB1 while his contract is the cheapest and the team has ample cap wiggle room would be the prudent move here. And because Bears General Manager Ryan Poles is no stranger to bold moves, I wouldn’t put it past him to do something that might otherwise be unexpected.