Chicago Bears fans woke up on Monday morning to see the news that their favorite team had whiffed on a potential trade deadline acquisition.
Early Monday morning, the Philadelphia Eagles agreed to a trade with the Miami Dolphins, parting with a 2026 third-round pick for outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips, one of the top edge-rushing options on the market before Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET trade deadline.
Losing out on the potential to add a player like Phillips is less than ideal for a Chicago defense that could use some additional punching power. Now, the front office is left to figure out what makes the most sense for them to do next now that Phillips is off the board.
Chicago Bears left scrambling after Eagles snatch Jaelan Phillips
The Bears have every reason to be buyers before the market closes. After Week 9's thrilling 47-42 win over the Cincinnati Bengals (3-6), Chicago is 5-3, tied with the Detroit Lions for second in the NFC North, and only a half-game behind the first-place Green Bay Packers (5-2-1).
Entering Monday Night Football, the Bears rank in the top 10 in scoring offense (26.9 points per game) and total offense (378.4 yards per game) but in the bottom 10 in scoring defense (28.4 points per game) and total defense (368.8 yards per game). To take things a bit further with the issues facing this team on the defensive side of the ball, Chicago ranks No. 26 in pressure rate (16.6 percent) and has produced only 17 sacks, tied for 20th in the league, according to Pro Football Reference.
According to Chicago Tribune beat reporter Brad Biggs, the Bears' front office had internal discussions about adding Phillips, who could have had a significant impact on Chicago's defense.
Phillips, a 2021 first-round pick (No. 18 overall), has three sacks and 32 total pressures in nine games this season. He's an every-down defender, also bringing value against the run. According to ESPN Analytics, he has the seventh-highest run-stop win rate among edge defenders. This season, the Bears have allowed 5.1 yards per carry, proving they have a distinct need for a player who can provide what Phillips will now give the Eagles.
Chicago's offense has taken major strides under first-year head coach Ben Johnson, but the defensive shortcomings could keep the Bears from snapping a four-year postseason drought.
With Phillips no longer available, Chicago's options are running thin. Phillips' Dolphins teammate, Bradley Chubb, could be a possibility, as might New York Jets edge Jermaine Johnson. Chubb, 29, has four sacks in nine games after returning from a torn ACL that cost him the entire 2024 season. Johnson, 26, missed three games earlier this year with an ankle injury but returned in Week 6.
The Bears are firmly in playoff contention at the trade deadline, giving them every reason to maximize their chances of a deep run. Chicago has seven picks in the 2026 NFL draft, including its own in Rounds 1-3 and 5-7, plus a fourth-rounder from the Los Angeles Rams. After the Eagles poached Phillips, the Bears should have even more urgency to address their pass rush before the other best available players are claimed. If not, it will be a massive missed opportunity.