Bears predicted to pull off deadline trade for former Seahawks Pro Bowler

If there's one area on defense the Chicago Bears could stand to add to, it's cornerback.

The Bears have been ravaged by injuries at the position with Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon both on injured reserve. Making matters worse, Tyrique Stevenson landed on the injury report last week and didn't practice.

One avenue the Bears should explore for a cornerback upgrade is a trade with the Seattle Seahawks for Riq Woolen, who has been mentioned in trade rumors dating back to September.

"Multiple league execs have Woolen earmarked as a strong trade candidate," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler wrote earlier this week.

Knowing that, Clutch Points' Bailey Bassett has predicted the Bears and Seahawks will hook up for a deadline trade that sends Woolen to Chicago and a 2026 fifth-rounder to Seattle.

The Bears need to keep adding, but the help is now needed on the defensive side of the football. Specifically, the team's cornerback depth is suspect. Tariq Woolen has had a rough year for the Seattle Seahawks, but he'd be worth a gamble for Chicago. Woolen was fantastic early on in his career, specifically when he earned a Pro Bowl nod as a rookie after a six-interception season.

Woolen is huge for a cornerback at 6-foot-4. His physical and athletic traits give him the potential to bounce back in a big way. With a change of scenery, Woolen may return to star status.

Even though it seems he has fallen out of favor in Seattle, it's still hard to figure out why the Seahawks would want to trade Woolen, who, at the very least, is valuable depth for a playoff contender like Seattle.

The justification is that Woolen likely isn't in the Seahawks' plans for the future and it would be wise to get something for him before he leaves for nothing in 2026.

Despite his struggles this season, Woolen's career coverage numbers are still those of a starting-caliber cornerback. He has given up a completion rate of 54.5% and a passer rating of 71.6 when targeted over the course of his career.

Woolen would give the Bears a starter for the rest of this season, and he could be a long-term solution at the age of 26 if he can play well enough to earn an extension.

NFL trade rumors

• ESPN's Dolphins trade rumor gives Cowboys, Lions, Eagles low-cost target
• Saints trade rumors gives Seahawks, Bengals guard to target
• Jakobi Meyers trade rumors reveal asking price, most likely destination
• Giants trade rumor from ESPN names 2 draft busts looking to be dealt
• Cowboys, 49ers, Colts get bad news from ESPN's edge rusher trade rumor