Chicago Bears trade target emerges after 1 NFL game

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Chicago Bears trade target emerges after 1 NFL game

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Paolo Songco | Last updated Sep 16, 2026 4:07 PM ET

The Chicago Bears may have won their season opener on Sunday, but a trade target has already emerged for them. New England Patriots legend Devin McCourty floated the idea of the team dealing for the New York Giants’ Kayvon Thibodeaux.

The veteran linebacker is playing in his fifth NFL season, all with the Giants. He has appeared in 53 career regular season games and has recorded 152 combined tackles, including 86 solo efforts. Thibodeaux also has 23.5 sacks, 31 tackles for loss and six forced fumbles. He is one of the most reliable in the league at his position, and would bring a lot of experience to the table.

Chicago’s offense compensated for the defense last season. The same happened against the Panthers, with Caleb Williams leading his unit to score the most points in a season opener in franchise history.

Chicago Bears: Kayvon Thibodeaux emerges as potential trade target

McCourty appeared on the “Up & Adams” show on Tuesday. Its host, Kay Adams, asked him to share his thoughts on what moves the Bears need to do via free agency or trade.

“If you’re gonna score a lot of points, then it comes down to your pass defense,” McCourty said. “Your pass defense is impacted by your pass rushers or your cover guys. They’ve invested in their cover guys, Jalen Johnson, Tariq Stevenson… You lost some players, you lost (Jaquan) Brisker. Kevin Byard last year, who’s now playing in New England.

“I know everybody in New York is excited. You might want to call down to the Giants. ‘Hey, I know you got Abdul Carter. You got Brian Burns. What you thinking about with Thibodeaux? You plan on extending them? So maybe that’s a call they make. You add a pass rusher.”

“[The Bears] might want to call down to the Giants… what are you thinking about with [Kayvon] Thibodeaux?”

Devin McCourty has a trade target in mind for Chicago @devinmccourty | @heykayadams pic.twitter.com/QnBSmQiTpi

— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) September 15, 2026

McCourty knows a thing or two about having a team that wins Super Bowl. He won three rings during his career and also earned three second-team All-Pro and two Pro Bowl selections.

The Bears will next face the Minnesota Vikings in front of their home fans on Sunday. They will also play their next two games at Soldier Field versus the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets.

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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