The Chicago Bears finally righted the ship after two bad games to start the season. They're riding a two-game winning streak, and if you consider that they were close to winning in Week 1, things are starting to look more promising for this team.
Then again, that doesn't mean they should just rest on their laurels. If anything, GM Ryan Poles should make the most of the bye week to dig deep into the tape and figure out the best way to improve this team before the November trade deadline.
With that in mind, they should reach out to the Seattle Seahawks to inquire about Riq Woolen.
The Bears Should Trade For Riq Woolen
A couple of days ago, NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported that the Seahawks were getting some calls for their veteran cornerback. With star Devon Witherspoon set to return from injury, Mike Macdonald could feel like Woolen is redundant and disposable.
The Bears lost star CB Jaylon Johnson for the season. While Tyrique Stevenson has looked better after a dreadful start to the year, this team still has some flaws in the secondary. Nahshon Wright hasn't been consistent, and there isn't a lot of depth behind them.
Kyler Gordon is expected to return after the bye week, but hamstring injuries are tricky and tend to linger, so they can't afford to bank all their hopes on his return.
Woolen is a physical athlete who knows how to make the most of his big frame in coverage. That's the type of player Bears' defensive coordinator Dennis Allen likes to pursue. He could bolster the team's press-man coverage situation.
Woolen has struggled mightily with penalties this season, and the Bears already have more than enough of that issue as it is. That's one of the reasons why he's playing time has diminished this season.
But he is in a contract year, so there will be plenty of motivation to prove himself down the stretch. That can be a real benefit for a team looking to make the playoffs.
With the offense showing big signs of improvement during the winning streak, it's now up to the other side of the field to step up. Ryan Poles invested a lot on the offense this offseason. Now it's time to look more at the defense. Woolen is not a long-term solution, but he is one of the best options available right now.