Chicago Bears named a ‘best fit’ for AFC pass rusher

It’s no secret that the Chicago Bears could use more from their pass rush this season. With Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo combining for just four sacks on the year, the Bears could use a boost.

Austin Booker being activated off of Injured Reserve this week might potentially get them that. But they could also look to the trade market for some potential help on the defensive line.

With the NFL’s trade deadline under a week away, we could see a flurry of moves coming. There should be a few teams ready to be sellers as they have started off the season on a slow start and the Bears might be able to take advantage. One of those teams is the New York Jets, who finally got a win in Week 8, beating the Cincinnati Bengals.

And one ESPN insider believes the Bears are a good fit for a current Jets defensive player.

Jermaine Johnson tabbed as best fit for Chicago Bears

In Jeremy Fowler and Matt Bowen’s latest piece for ESPN, they ranked the top 25 players who could be traded ahead of the deadline. At No. 10 is Jets’ defensive lineman Jermaine Johnson and they list the Bears and Eagles as a fit for him:

The buzz: The Jets are not desperate to trade Johnson; good edge rushers are hard to find, and his $13.4 million salary for 2026 (a fifth-year option) is reasonable. But my sense after asking around is that New York would be more willing to part with Johnson than Will McDonald IV if it made any move at the position. Macdonald is in the third year of his rookie deal, whereas Johnson is in his fourth. And Johnson has garnered a bit of interest thus far. — Fowler

The two estimated his chance of being traded at 35 percent, which is a little low. However, if a team like the Bears needs help on the line and offers the Jets a favorable deal, why wouldn’t they take it?

Johnson suffered an Achillies injury in 2024 that caused him to miss 15 games. But in 2023, he recorded 7.5 sacks and 16 pressures. So far this season, he has one sack in five games.

The other thing to consider is if the Bears will be willing to give up draft picks for an edge rusher. They did sign Odeyingbo to a big deal this offseason already. So far, the return hasn’t been worth it for Ryan Poles and his staff.

I dont think this is the move the Bears will make and instead, will rely on what they have to generate some much-needed pressure.

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