The Chicago Bears appear to be trending in the right direction. Head coach Ben Johnson has made it clear that the team has plenty to clean up. Penalties remain a constant issue. They still can't run the ball effectively, and the run defense has been Swiss cheese. What people wonder is if there is anything the Bears can do to help themselves beyond just practicing and hoping it gets better. Their last chance to do something approaches as the trade deadline looms at the end of October.
Dealing away draft capital for what might be a short-term fix at best doesn't seem wise for a roster that still needs work. However, there is an alternative worth considering: a player-for-player deal. They are rare, but do happen sometimes. It must involve teams that need help at a specific position and have players who can fill that role. If the money situation isn't egregiously different, things can come together. After doing some research, there is one trade the Bears should consider floating.
Wide receiver D.J. Moore for Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons.
Why it makes sense for the Chicago Bears:
Simmons is one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL. He is a powerful pass rusher who has collected around 6-8 sacks every year for the past half-decade. What many forget is that he's also an excellent run defender, which is something the Bears would benefit from even more. Best of all, his $23 million cap hit is $4 million less than Moore's, and he's under contract through 2027. While it would hurt to lose a productive player like D.J., it would allow Luther Burden to finally get more meaningful snaps on offense.
Why it makes sense for the Tennessee Titans:
This team has a young quarterback to develop. Cam Ward has loads of potential. What he needs is weapons. Currently, his only reliable option is Calvin Ridley. Adding Moore to the mix would make life so much easier for him and give D.J. a greater target share than he might be getting in Chicago. Tennessee won't worry about the slight cap hit because they project to have the most of any team in 2026. They can easily afford the extra $4 million. Like Simmons, he is under contract through 2027.
Last but not least, wide receivers tend to have longer careers than defensive linemen. The Titans could bank on the idea that they'll have Moore for longer. Losing Simmons would be a blow, but they are a team in a rebuilding phase. He gets to join a team that is still in the thick of the NFC race with an array of talented players on defense. It is a win-win proposition for both sides.
