Bears Trade Pitch Lands $97 Million CB to Replace Jaylon Johnson
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Commanders cornerback Marshon Lattimore.
The Chicago Bears have been hurting at cornerback ever since they lost Jaylon Johnson to a significant core-muscle injury in Week 2, and while they have expressed optimism that he could return this season, they have no guarantee.
Could that prompt them to make a big swing before the NFL trade deadline next week?
Earlier this week, ESPN tasked several of its top analysts with evaluating where each of the 32 teams in the league stands with respect to the fast-approaching trade deadline, breaking down their expected level of involvement along with potential trade targets.
Among the suggestions, ESPN’s Ben Solak pitched the possibility of the Bears cutting a deal for Washington Commanders veteran cornerback Marshon Lattimore before the deadline to fortify their banged-up secondary with a former Pro Bowler still under 30.
“This would be back-to-back trade deadline relocations for Lattimore, who picked off Patrick Mahomes on Monday but has struggled since Washington acquired him,” Solak wrote. “He would return to Dennis Allen’s defense, where the absence of Jaylon Johnson leaves the outside cornerback position unsettled for the Bears. Lattimore isn’t the player he once was but probably would still beat out Tyrique Stevenson for snaps.”
Would Marshon Lattimore Bounce Back With Allen?
Lattimore is a former first-round pick and four-time Pro Bowler who was once viewed as one of the top cornerbacks in the game, but the 29-year-old hasn’t lived up to any such reputation in the past season since he went from New Orleans to Washington.
After a hamstring injury held him back in his first half-season with the Commanders, Lattimore has struggled for their secondary through the first eight games of the 2025 campaign. He has allowed only a 79.8 opposing passer rating in defense, but he has also given up a career-high 14.8 yards per completion, showing rust in man coverage.
For the Bears, the question is: Could Lattimore reuniting with Allen bring him back?
Lattimore has not been a Pro Bowler since 2021, which is also when he last played more than 10 games in a single season, but the Bears could justify the high-risk, high-reward move if they are concerned that Johnson will come back too late for them to compete — or not at all. Worst case, they would have Johnson and Lattimore for the final weeks.
Cost is the big obstacle. Lattimore is under contract through the end of the 2026 season on the five-year, $97 million deal he signed with the New Orleans Saints four years ago. While the Bears would not feel the full weight of his $18 million cap hit for 2025, they would have a whopping $18.5 million cap hit awaiting them in 2026 — which is rough.
Perhaps even too rough for the Bears to consider a late-pick swap.
Can Bears Endure Without Another Big Move at CB?
Lattimore might be outside the reasonable realm of possibility for the Bears at the trade deadline, but can the Bears endure without making
For starters, it is necessary to acknowledge that the Bears did make a move to improve their cornerback room on Wednesday when they signed veteran C.J. Gardner-Johnson to their 53-man roster. The plan is for Gardner-Johnson to play in the slot until Kyler Gordon is eligible to return from injured reserve in Week 12, but whether he will thrive after bouncing between multiple teams this season remains unclear at this point.
If Gardner-Johnson struggles and the Bears lose to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 9, they might decide they can no longer sit around waiting for their personnel to return and make a move before the trade window closes. Don’t forget that Tyrique Stevenson is also nursing a shoulder injury that held him out of Week 8’s loss to Baltimore.
The Bears wouldn’t want a long-term commitment on the trade market, but a short-term fix — even if it costs them the rest of their space in 2025 — could help them out.
Bo Nix Leads the Denver Broncos into a Season of Promise: Midseason Review
As the 2025 NFL season hits the midway point, the Denver Broncos find themselves sitting at an impressive 6-2, a record that reflects the team’s potential but also its room for growth. With new leadership on both sides of the ball and a refreshed energy in the locker room, this season has been one of transition and reinvention for a franchise that has faced its fair share of struggles in recent years. At the heart of it all is quarterback
Nix, in his second season with the Broncos, has shown significant development, making strides in his game as he continues to adjust to the fast-paced, high-pressure environment of the NFL. Despite some early inconsistency, Nix has demonstrated flashes of brilliance, leading his team through challenging moments with poise, confidence, and a determination that has quickly earned the respect of his teammates and critics alike.
Quarterback of the Future
At 6-2, 220 pounds, Bo Nix brings a combination of size, athleticism, and a strong arm that many experts believed was his ceiling when he entered the NFL draft. However, this season, he’s shown that he is far from being just a physical talent. Nix has made strides in his decision-making, his pocket presence, and his ability to push the ball downfield. His most notable performance came in Week 8, when the Broncos trounced the Dallas Cowboys 44-24, with Nix tossing three touchdowns and managing the game with precision, showing maturity well beyond his years.
His play has been essential to the team’s success, but Nix himself recognizes that the team’s trajectory goes far beyond his individual performances. In a recent statement, he commented, “We’re not just playing for wins — we’re playing to remind everyone what this team is made of. The Broncos’ legacy is built on grit, heart, and a relentless drive to push forward. The halfway point of this season is just the beginning. We’re here to prove we belong at the top, and we’re not backing down.” It’s clear that Nix sees the bigger picture and knows this season is just the start of what could be a special run.
A Resurgent Defense
While Nix has drawn much of the spotlight, the Broncos’ defense has been equally instrumental in the team’s success. Spearheaded by defensive line standout D.J. Jones and star cornerback
The addition of veteran safety Talanoa Hufanga has added another layer of stability to the secondary, allowing the defense to shut down opposing passing attacks while still being strong against the run. The pass rush, led by
The Road Ahead
Looking ahead, the Broncos face a challenging second half of the season. With games against the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, and a late-season matchup against division rival Las Vegas Raiders, Denver will need to continue improving, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Nix will need to stay consistent and reduce turnovers, while the defense must maintain its high level of play and minimize mistakes.
But with a strong foundation and the leadership of Bo Nix, the Broncos are poised to make a serious playoff push. For a team that has often been at the bottom of the AFC West in recent years, this season is a breath of fresh air and a promising indication of what could be an exciting future for the franchise. The midway mark has shown that the Denver Broncos are back, and they’re ready to make a run at the playoffs with Bo Nix leading the charge. The next chapter of Broncos football is just beginning, and it’s one full of promise and potential.
As the season continues, the eyes of the NFL world will be on Denver — and with Bo Nix at the helm, it’s clear the Broncos are ready to return to their rightful place among the league’s elite.
