The Chicago Bears have positioned themselves as legitimate contenders in the NFC North through the first seven weeks of the 2026 season, sitting at 5-2 after a hard-fought 30-24 victory over the New England Patriots on Thursday Night Football at Soldier Field.
With Caleb Williams continuing to develop and the offense generating explosive plays, the focus now shifts to reinforcing a defense that has been competitive but still lacks consistent interior pressure.
As the Nov. 10 trade deadline approaches, general manager Ryan Poles has a clear opportunity to address that gap without overcommitting long-term resources.
Daniel Popper of The Athletic recently included the Bears among the best fits for Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner on his 2026 trade deadline big board.
At 32 years old and in the final year of his contract, Buckner has been one of the league’s most productive interior defenders this season despite the Colts’ struggles.
Through six games, he leads Indianapolis with four sacks and 19 pressures, numbers that underscore his ability to disrupt opposing backfields even after missing seven games in 2025 with a neck injury.
He has looked fully healthy in 2026, and his expiring deal means any acquiring team would take on only a projected $6.5 million cap hit for the remainder of the season.
For the Bears, that profile aligns with both immediate needs and financial flexibility. Chicago already ranks among the league leaders in total sacks, powered largely by edge rusher Montez Sweat, yet the interior of the defensive line has been more rotation than dominant force.
Adding Buckner would give defensive coordinator Ben Johnson a proven, high-motor presence who can occupy double teams, generate his own pressure, and free up edge rushers.
Because Buckner is a pending free agent, the Bears could treat the move as a pure rental for a playoff push without locking in future money, provided the draft compensation stays reasonable given his age and the Colts’ apparent willingness to sell after firing general manager Chris Ballard.
Buckner’s frustration with the Colts’ repeated playoff misses has been public.
After a Week 6 loss to the Titans, he told reporters he was “sick and tired of the same song and dance every year,” a comment that signals openness to a change of scenery.
The Bears, meanwhile, are chasing a division title and a deeper postseason run in a competitive NFC. Pairing Buckner with the existing pieces on Chicago’s defensive front would create a more complete unit capable of slowing high-powered offenses in January.
Whether Poles is willing to part with a mid-to-late round pick remains to be seen, but the fit is logical on both sides of the ball.
