Chicago Bears linked to major trade for former first-round pass rusher

The Chicago Bears are definitely in need of pass-rushing help this offseason, as Montez Sweat and Gervon Dexter were their only truly reliable players in that department this past year.

Perhaps Austin Booker will flourish more with a full 17-game campaign under his belt, but the jury is still out on him, and the Bears really do not have much depth behind him. Especially not after Dayo Odeyingbo tore his Achilles halfway through 2025.

While Las Vegas Raiders superstar Maxx Crosby has regularly been pitched as a potential trade target for Chicago, it seems a bit unrealistic. However, another much more feasible edge rusher could emerge on the trade front: New York Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux.

With the Giants having both Brian Burns and Abdul Carter on the edge, Thibodeaux seems like a prime trade candidate, especially with just one year left on his contract. But would the Bears make a push for the former first-round pick?

Could the Chicago Bears swing a trade for Kayvon Thibodeaux?

Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine has tabbed Thibodeaux as one of Chicago’s top three trade targets this offseason.

“If taking on Crosby’s massive contract would be an issue then a player like Kayvon Thibodeaux would also be a good target. Brian Burns and Abdul Carter are the clear 1-2 punch in New York,” Ballentine wrote.

Thibodeaux entered the NFL back in 2022 and showed immediate potential, registering 49 tackles, four sacks, a couple of forced fumbles and a pair of fumble recoveries during his rookie campaign. He then appeared to break out with 50 tackles and 11.5 sacks in 2023.

Since then, however, Thibodeaux’s time in New York has been severely hindered by injuries. He missed five games due to a wrist issue in 2024, and this past season, he was sidelined for the final seven contests of the campaign as a result of a shoulder injury.

The 25-year-old also totaled just eight sacks over the last couple of seasons, so the Giants may be prepared to move on from him.

But what would be the cost? The Bears may have to part with a third-round pick in exchange for Thibodeaux, which may seem relatively steep given his production the past two years. However, the University of Oregon product obviously has talent, and Chicago is in dire need of another pass rusher.

It might be worth it for the Bears to part with a Day 2 selection pry Thibodeaux away from the Big Apple.

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