Calais Campbell, Cardinals
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Defensive lineman Calais Campbell of the Arizona Cardinals.
The Chicago Bears have scrapped their way to 3-2, with two consecutive victories by one point with a bye week sandwiched in between.
But despite that success via those narrowest of margins, it’s clear that Chicago needs a couple of roster upgrades to truly compete at the top of not just the division, but the NFC.
Bradley Locker of Bleacher Report compiled a list of 20 trade candidates ahead of the NFL’s November 4 deadline, which included Arizona Cardinals defensive lineman Calais Campbell. Locker also noted the Bears as a top landing spot for the accomplished veteran.
“Even at 39, Campbell has still been an above-average player for the Cardinals this season. He’s on track for a 15th straight year with a 71.0-plus overall PFF grade, and has been a well-rounded addition for Arizona’s new-look defense. Campbell has generated 11 pressures while also producing a 70.0 PFF run-defense grade,” Locker wrote. “The Cardinals’ promising start has taken a wayward turn for the worst, one that doesn’t seem especially salvageable. With Campbell at his age and on a one-year deal, shipping him away — particularly to pave the way for playing time for younger players — could be logical.”
Bears Run Defense in Desperate Need of Player Like Calais Campbell
Calais Campbell
GettyArizona Cardinals defensive lineman Calais Campbell.
Chicago’s run defense is the second-worst in the league, allowing 156.4 yards on the ground per game to opposing offenses. Only the 1-5 Miami Dolphins have been worse through six weeks.
Campbell can not only address that glaring weakness at the point of attack, he can also help create pressure on opposing quarterbacks by disrupting the pocket. The Bears have mustered just eight sacks in five games, which is tied for the third-lowest total in the NFL.
Campbell is a seven-time Pro Bowler and a three-time All Pro who continues to play at a high level, despite being in the midst of his 18th professional season. Through six games with Arizona this year, Campbell has tallied nine quarterback hits, four tackles for loss and three sacks.
He is earning just $5.5 million in 2025, and his play is significantly outpacing his pay to this point in the year. Chicago wouldn’t be on the hook for any money beyond this season, though if things work out the Bears could look to bring Campbell back on a season-to-season basis as he hits his 40s.
Furthermore, the trade price for a player of Campbell’s age who isn’t under contract beyond this campaign would likely be a lower Day-3 draft asset, which would be more than worth it to Chicago if Campbell can continue on his current trajectory and the team is serious about competing for a playoff spot in January.
Bears Run Offense Also Struggling to Produce This Season
D'Andre Swift Ben Johnson Bears Run Game Bears News
GettyChicago Bears running back D’Andre Swift.
As bad as the Bears‘ run defense has been, the ground game on offense hasn’t been much better.
D’Andre Swift had the best outing of his season on “Monday Night Football” against the Washington Commanders, putting up 108 yards on 14 carries, which bumped his yards per attempt up from 3.3 to 4.2 for the year.
However, the 26-year-old feature back in the Bears offense hasn’t eclipsed 63 rushing yards in any of the other four contests and has finished with a yardage figure in the 30s twice. When subtracting the contributions of quarterback Caleb Williams to the run game, Chicago is one of the worst units in the league at rushing the football.
Locker mentioned Breece Hall of the New York Jets as a potential trade candidate for the Bears, a notion that has picked up steam in the media over the last few weeks.