The Chicago Bears bounced back in a big way after their tough loss to the Green Bay Packers, dominating the Atlanta Falcons in a matchup that was much more lopsided than the final score suggested.
However good this team has been this season, the secondary remains a concern. Jaylon Johnson has been a massive liability in coverage, and Tyrique Stevenson has never been much of a problem-solver.
Considering that, and given that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers keep struggling at 1-5, general manager Ryan Poles might get them on the phone. Maybe they'd be willing to give up Zyon McCollum at a reasonable price.
The Chicago Bears should inquire about Zyon McCollum
McCollum has been one of the few bright spots for Todd Bowles' team. He's bounced back after a disappointing 2025 season by giving up 24 catches on 34 targets for 244 yards and one touchdown. He also has seven passes defensed, one tackle for loss, and a fumble recovery.
The Buccaneers gave him a three-year deal worth $16 million a season, though, so they might not want to part ways with him. That said, a soft rebuild could be in place if they continue to struggle, and they just used a fourth-round pick on Keionte Scott, whom they seem to be extremely high on.
The Bears can (and should) bench Stevenson for rookie Malik Muhammad. He's looked like a steal, and now that Kyler Gordon is back to full strength, they won't need him to handle things at nickel anymore.
That said, the Bears would still have to deal with Johnson's struggles, and while they're pretty much stuck with him because of his contract situation, adding a young player like McCollum to the mix could probably help them sort things out for now and find their veteran a new home in the near future.
The Bears' defense has held its own better than most anticipated this season, but it still has a lower ceiling than other contenders'. The offense can bail them out, but some balance would be better, especially once we reach win-or-go-home scenarios.
McCollum is a solid player who can probably be available at a reasonable price. The Bears are unlikely to go big-name hunting, but there are still budget-friendly options like him that should help the team keep the momentum going and build on last season's postseason run by going deeper in the playoffs this season.
| More Bears on DaWindyCity |
Add us as a preferred source on Google