Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson
Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson | USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect
What if the Chicago Bears were not only buyers at this year's NFL trade deadline, but as aggressive as we've ever seen them?
What if it isn't just one single move made, but a series of moves?
Better yet, what if these moves didn't even cost a whole lot, but at the end of the day, Chicago's roster is drastically improved, and three of the biggest concerns are addressed all at once?
I am seeing visions, Bears fans. I am seeing visions that make a whole lot of sense, and they aren't all that crazy. In fact, they're extremely realistic.
Bears say goodbye to Jaylon Johnson for much less than fans want to believe
Jaylon Johnson has been downright bad this season. You can use all of the negative adjectives you want to describe his play, and you'd probably be right. It isn't a day we thought would be coming just two short years ago, but we're here, and the Bears need to move on.
There have been times when even Tyrique Stevenson has looked like a better option, and if we're being honest, Stevenson and Malik Muhammad are a better-suited tandem than Johnson and Muhammad, on the outside, at this point.
In this proposal, the Bears send Johnson to the Tennessee Titans. They get a fifth-round pick, but they also get a young tight end who sticks around on his three-year deal signed just this past offseason.
With the questions around Sam Roush and whether or not he's ready, the Bears cannot afford to risk it now that they're without Cole Kmet for the season. Bellinger showed a lot of positive things when with the New York Giants, but the Titans have been putrid this season, and it's hard to take anything from watching their offense in 2026.
Bellinger is another capable receiver Ben Johnson can rely on alongside Colston Loveland while Roush continues to develop. I know, using a third-rounder on a tight end who continues to be your No. 3 at the position seems like a waste -- you can take that up with Ryan Poles.
This is a trade to get the Bears a viable Kmet replacement, and they do so while also netting a draft pick and putting an end to the Jaylon Johnson era in Chicago.
Bears land a direct Jaylon Johnson replacement at little cost
So, are the Bears really going to depend on Tyrique Stevenson? Not necessarily. Chicago could go right back out there and land a cornerback who could very well be traded.
The Kansas City Chiefs aren't using Kristian Fulton as a starter because of their depth in the secondary, which is a problem the Bears would love to have. In this instance, Chicago takes advantage and gets themselves a legitimate, starting-caliber cornerback for not much at all.
The 28-year-old Fulton would come right in and supplant Stevenson, alongside Muhammad, on the outside. On 136 defensive snaps (84 in coverage) this year, Fulton is allowing an opposing passer rating of just 16.7. Sure, it's a limited sample size. But it's impressive, nonetheless.
Fulton also has a pass breakup and an interception this year. He's light-years better than both Stevenson and Johnson and would make this secondary so, so much better.
Dennis Allen gets the pleasure of Khalil Mack landing in Chicago
Finally, the Bears complete their trade deadline trifecta with the move everybody wants to see happen. Khalil Mack was once a Bear, and he'll always be a Bear. This time, he'll have the chance to finish his career in the city he once brought so much life to.
Mack is on a one-year deal with an abysmal Chargers team. He's going to be moved, and at this point in his career, I think he is certainly a guy you let choose his destination.
What better place to go, if you're Mack, than back to Chicago now with a winning team and truly competitive offense?
Mack has 3.0 sacks this season, but in Chicago, I'd venture to guess that number quickly ascends. He would bring the necessary jolt to a unit that's actually played remarkably well, considering injuries and a lack of talent at key positions.
Read more:Bears free agent check-in: Tyrique Stevenson on call, Roschon Johnson vanishes
In the end, the Bears essentially trade Jaylon Johnson for a TE2 and Mack, while landing a starting cornerback in the process.
Sign me up.