The Chicago Bears lived to fight another week after beating the Green Bay Packers, and now it's on to the Divisional Round. Even though the season isn't over yet, it's clear that general manager Ryan Poles has his work cut out for him this offseason as he looks to keep the team competitive in 2026 and beyond. Good teams lead to coaching departures and losing bidding wars to opponents who don't want those squads to grow together.
No one wants to end up like the Detroit Lions, who didn't even make the playoffs after slipping back to the bottom of the division and out of the postseason picture. Luckily, a golden opportunity to shore up their biggest weakness, the defensive line, has appeared.
Per ESPN's Adam Shefter, "Mike Tomlin informed his team that he is stepping down as the Steelers head coach" this past Tuesday. Tomlin's exit could lead to somewhat of a rebuild in Pittsburgh, which could open the door for the Steelers to sell off pieces, including defensive tackle Keeanu Benton.
And if that ends up happening, Poles must make a call to the Steel City as soon as the Bears' offseason begins.
Keeanu Benton-Bears Trade Could Be on the Table After Mike Tomlin's Steelers Exit
Benton is like a race car being used for off-roading in the Steel City. Instead of utilizing his abilities to get into the backfield, the Steelers are using him at nose tackle. In fact, the former Wisconsin Badger just amassed a career-high 33 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus, which includes seven sacks — three more than he had in the previous two seasons combined.
Pittsburgh didn't want to part with him during Tomlin's tenure, but all bets are off now. While GM Omar Khan is remaining with the team, his next coaching hire will mean everything for the Steelers. With Aaron Rodgers retiring, now is the time for a much-needed reset.
Trading Benton makes them worse, but also potentially means gaining assets from a team like the Bears, who have already patiently waited and are now at the point of striking, with a championship being within arm's reach.
For Chicago, rolling the dice on Benton would be a worthy experiment, with one year remaining on his rookie deal and coming off a seven-sack season. His run defense is a work-in-progress, but his upside is higher than who's in the trenches right now.
Chicago's defensive line isn't one that's going to see many pieces retained over the next two summers. Grady Jarrett is about to be 33, and Gervon Dexter Sr. is about to be an expiring contract with very little chance of returning in 2027 and beyond.
Throw in Andrew Billings' uncertain future, and it becomes clearer that change is coming to the DT room in the Windy City.
Poles can do a lot worse than pursuing someone like Benton, who may be open to a return closer to his hometown of Janesville, WI. And if the Steelers' price is right, there's a chance that the promising defender will be lining up in a Bears jersey next season.