Bears Make Power Move, Trading for $46 Million Edge-Rusher After Devastating D-Line Injury
The Chicago Bears have banged and eked their way to a 5-3 record at the NFL’s midseason deadline and some recent, unfortunate injury news should render them buyers ahead of the November 4 trade deadline at the position of edge-rusher.
Defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo, one of the team’s free-agent additions, to the defensive line is going to miss the remainder of the season following an injury he suffered on Sunday in Cincinnati.
“Bears defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo tore his Achilles’ tendon Sunday against the Bengals and will miss the rest of the season,” Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times reported Monday, November 3. “Odeyingbo’s injury creates an even greater need for pass-rush help leading up to Tuesday afternoon’s trade deadline. The Bears have already lost defensive end Shemar Turner, a second-round rookie.”
Chicago is tied for 22nd in the NFL with 17 sacks on the season, and there are potentially multiple edge-rushers for whom they could attempt to trade. Trey Hendrickson of the Bengals is the biggest name, but Cincinnati is still asking for a first-round pick in return and Hendrickson is going to command more than $30 million annually on the free-agent market next March. He’s already on the wrong side of 30, so that feels like potentially too big of a bet by head coach Ben Johnson and company.
One player who is younger and less expensive, although also less accomplished, is former first-round pick Kayvon Thibodeaux of the New York Giants.
Kayvon Thibodeaux Just 24 Years Old, Above-Average NFL Pass-Rusher This Season
GettyNew York Giants edge-rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux.
Thibodeaux is in the fourth-year of his $31.3 million rookie contract, though the Giants have picked up the fifth-year team option on his deal for 2026, which pays him $14.7 million in that season.
The No. 5 overall pick in the 2022 draft hasn’t lived up to his first-round billing exactly, but he is just 24 years old and has still been a productive player across is three and a half professional seasons. He put up 11.5 sacks in 2023 and has 23.5 sacks across 52 games played.
Thibodeaux carries a player grade of 68.5 from Pro Football Focus, which ranks him inside the top 50 (No. 49) of the 120 edge-rushers who have seen enough snaps to qualify during the 2025 campaign. He ranks third against the run but only 67th as a pass-rusher through Week 9.
Even still, Thibodeaux has amassed 25 quarterback pressures and 16 hurries and would have been an upgrade/valuable pickup for Chicago before Odeyingbo got injured. It is now all but essential that the Bears acquire a player like him before Tuesday’s trade deadline.
Bears May Need to Part With Day 2 Draft Pick to Trade for Kayvon Thibodeaux
Bradley Locker of PFF listed Thibodeaux among the 20 most likely trade candidates back on October 13.
After an offseason chock with questions about his future in New York, Thibodeaux has showed signs of growth after the team’s commitment to him,” Locker wrote. “New York felt comfortable enough to pick up Thibodeaux’s fifth-year option, but keeping him around in the long term with Abdul Carter and Brian Burns probably isn’t the shrewdest.”
Thibodeaux probably has the value of a Day-2 pick, somewhere in the range of Round 2 or 3, which is a steep price for a player who may or may not progress into a star. But the Bears are, or at least should be, in desperation mode at the position.
Ashton Jeanty Says Raiders Offense Thrives When Returning to Ground Game Approach
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty has spoken out about the key to the team’s offensive success, emphasizing that the offense is at its best when they establish the run game early. Jeanty, who has been a vital part of the backfield, believes that returning to a more traditional, run-focused offensive strategy has made a significant impact on the team’s performance.
“The run game is the foundation of our offense,” Jeanty said in a recent interview. “When we get the running game going, everything else falls into place. It opens up the play-action, gives our quarterbacks more time, and keeps the defense on its heels. We’ve seen it work when we stick to that approach.”
The Raiders have struggled with consistency on offense at times this season, but Jeanty’s confidence in the run game has been clear. With the offensive line starting to gel, Jeanty has been able to exploit holes and gain crucial yards, giving the team momentum in key moments.
“When we can establish the run early, it sets the tone for the entire game,” Jeanty continued. “It’s about controlling the clock, wearing down the defense, and creating opportunities for our playmakers. We’ve been able to do that better recently, and it’s been a big part of our success.”
Jeanty’s comments reflect a shift in the team’s offensive philosophy, with head coach Josh McDaniels and the offensive staff prioritizing the ground game to open up passing lanes. The Raiders have seen success when Jeanty and the running backs are able to consistently move the ball and control the tempo of the game.
“The run game is always going to be key, no matter what,” Jeanty concluded. “We know it’s what makes us dangerous, and we’ll keep building on it.”
As the season progresses, the Raiders will continue to rely on their running game to keep their offense balanced and effective. With Jeanty leading the charge, the Raiders are poised to remain a tough team to defend against as they move forward.
