Chicago Bears urged to land cornerback help with Eagles trade

Entering Week 7, the Chicago Bears rank 14th in pass defense, allowing 211.8 yards per game. That ranking has helped cover up some clear flaws in the secondary.

Jaylon Johnson is expected to be the leader of the cornerback room. And yet, his 44.1 grade from Pro Football Focus ranks 94/102 cornerbacks. With Tyrique Stevenson battling injuries, rookie Malik Muhammad has been pressed into a starting role. While there have been flashes of brilliance, his 50 grade from PFF ranks 86/102 cornerbacks.

Of course, PFF grades don’t tell the whole story. But Chicago’s secondary has been exposed over the last two weeks. While much of his production came in the fourth quarter, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. still threw for 225 yards and three touchdowns. A week prior, Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love threw for 367 yards and two touchdowns. The Bears allowed four passes of 40+ yards.

Chicago saw Kyler Gordon make his return to the gridiron in Week 6. But with the trade deadline approaching, cornerback remains an area the Bears could look to improve.

Chicago Bears pitched Eagles trade

The Philadelphia Eagles have been hamstrung by injuries all season. And now, quarterback Jalen Hurts is expected to miss the entire season after blood clots were discovered in his lung. At 2-4, the franchise may decide to sell some pieces away.

If Philadelphia goes down that route, cornerback Riq Woolen would be a coveted target. Ben Solak of ESPN argues Chicago should acquire him for a 2027 fourth-round pick.

“Woolen is at his best when his assignments are simple and he could use his elite blend of length, speed and transitional quickness to stick with WR1s in man-to-man,” Solak wrote. “His propensity for penalties could be a playoff Achilles’ heel, but if he runs pure in the postseason, he has the ceiling of a star player at a premium position. Something the Bears desperately need in the playoffs.”

If we’re playing the PFF game, Woolen’s 71.4 mark ranks 16/102 cornerbacks. In his first year with the Eagles, the cornerback has registered 24 tackles and four passes defended. A former Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion, Woolen understands what it takes to succeed at the highest level.

General manager Ryan Poles and company will have plenty of decisions to make with the trade deadline looming. One of them may be whether or not Woolen would be a strong fit in the secondary.

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