The Chicago Bears are actively attempting to trade for an edge rusher before today’s NFL deadline, according to reports confirming that season-ending injuries have left the team dangerously thin at defensive end. The Bears enter the day at 5-3 and is being viewed as one of the most likely buyers at the deadline, with the front office weighing whether short-term help is worth the cost as roster pressure continues to build.
The Bears’ dramatic 47-42 win in Cincinnati should have sparked early-week momentum, but the excitement faded as soon as the injury report surfaced. Instead of enjoying a 5-3 record, the Bears are now facing a decision that could define their season: reinforce the defense immediately or hope an injured roster can survive a playoff race.
Will the Chicago Bears Pull the Trigger Before the Deadline?
NFL Insider Jordan Schultz reported that “The Bears have been actively trying to acquire a pass-rusher before today’s trade deadline. At 5-3, the Bears want to bolster a key position that’s been hit hard by injury.” His report reflects the urgency inside the building as the front office evaluates what the defense can survive without outside help.
Sources: The #Bears have been actively trying to acquire a pass-rusher before today’s trade deadline. At 5-3, Chicago wants to bolster a key position that’s been hit hard by injury.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) November 4, 2025
The mounting injuries have turned a depth concern into a roster emergency. A week after losing one edge rusher, the Bears suffered another major hit when Ian Rapoport reported that Dayo Odeyingbo tore his Achilles and will miss the season.
This marked the second straight week the Bears placed a pass rusher on injured reserve, confirming a need that already existed before the latest setback.
Head coach Ben Johnson acknowledged the challenge while hinting that roster help is coming. He told reporters that the Bears are “willing to make additions at defensive end and cornerback,” identifying the two position groups hit hardest. He also admitted the situation has felt unstable, saying, “It’s wild. It feels like we take some strides and it feels like we take some steps back.”
The pressure is not just injury-driven. According to PFSN’s Offense Impact metric, the Bears hold a 78.9 score this season, ranking 13th in the NFL with a C-plus grade. That reflects how often the offense has carried close games, placing additional strain on a defense that has been holding on by thin margins.
There are internal options, but none fix the bigger problem. Rookie Austin Booker returned and recorded a strip-sack in the fourth quarter, a flash of promise that may earn him more snaps. The staff can also lean on mixed fronts and simulated pressure looks, but those are temporary solutions for a long-term deficiency.
The urgency is created by timing: the Bears are winning, but they are also losing players faster than they can replace them. The defense has been stretched by snap count, not just depth chart, and the latest victory required late offensive heroics rather than defensive stability.
That leaves a final question for general manager Ryan Poles: if the Bears are truly a contender, is doing nothing the bigger risk? Schultz’s report makes clear that discussions are already happening. Whether the Bears finalize a deal before the clock expires will reveal how aggressively they are treating this season.