Ryan Poles already made a splash move before the 2026 NFL trade deadline when he splurged on Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons.
While they’re not likely to pursue one of the top edge rushers, like Maxx Crosby, they could go out and find a budget trade target worth picking up. Khalil Mack is a popular name, but a new budget option was recently linked to the Bears, which makes perfect sense.
ESPN’s Seth Walder is urging the Bears to go out and target Miami Dolphins $1.4 million veteran edge rusher Josh Uche. He’d be a perfectly reasonable trade target who shouldn’t cost much, but could give this defensive line a bit more upside off the edge.
Bears urged to pursue trade for Dolphins edge rusher Josh Uche
“Who should they target? Dolphins edge Josh Uche,” Walder writes. “The Bears already paid a ton to bring in Simmons, so I assume they’ll be seeking bargains for the rest of deadline season.”
Uche might be the ultimate bargain at the trade deadline, with his very cheap one-year contract being incredibly appealing considering his talent level.
While Uche isn’t as good as some of the top edge rushers available at this year’s trade deadline, Mack included, he’s a much more affordable option as a rental edge rusher who’s bounced around the NFL in the last seven years.
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He’s played for the New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, and Kansas City Chiefs before joining Miami this season. In seven games with the Dolphins, he has 2.0 sacks with 29 total tackles, a new career high.
While Uche isn’t a game-wrecker, he is a quality rotational edge rusher who could probably be acquired for a late Day 3 draft pick, exactly the kind of package the Bears can only really afford after their Simmons blockbuster deal.
Walder is urging the Bears to go after Uche at the NFL trade deadline, and while he might not be as exciting a pickup as Simmons or someone like Mack, the $1.4 million Dolphins edge is a great budget option for a team that used a lot of capital on Simmons.
