The NFL trade deadline has already produced a few headline-grabbing deals — with Sauce Gardner landing in Indianapolis and Jaelan Phillips heading to Philadelphia. Amid all the activity, the Chicago Bears made a smaller addition that’s unlikely to make waves, especially for the division-leading Detroit Lions.
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Chicago traded for defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, sending a sixth-round pick to his former team in exchange for the pass rusher and a seventh-round pick.
A Modest Move That Doesn’t Move the Needle
The Bears, who currently sit near the bottom of the league in total sacks (27th with 17), clearly wanted to bolster their pass rush. Montez Sweat has been their lone consistent threat with four sacks on the year; no other edge defender has more than one and a half.
However, adding Tryon-Shoyinka isn’t exactly a game-changing solution. The 26-year-old has recorded only nine tackles, one quarterback hit, and zero sacks this season. While Pro Football Focus gives him a respectable 72.2 overall grade and a 73.5 pass-rushing grade, those numbers haven’t translated into impact plays on the field.
Tryon-Shoyinka has played sparingly this year — just 31 total snaps, ranking sixth among defensive ends on Cleveland’s roster. Chicago is likely betting that more playing time will unlock untapped potential, but that’s far from guaranteed.
Depth Help, Not a Game-Changer
After previously spending time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tryon-Shoyinka has yet to develop into a dominant edge rusher. His career-best season came in 2023 when he notched five sacks — solid production, but not the type that transforms a defense.
For the Bears, he’ll likely serve as a rotational or situational player once again. Considering how tight the NFC North race is with the Lions, Vikings, and Packers all fighting for position, this trade feels more like a minor tweak than a difference-maker.
Lions Remain Unfazed
Detroit already proved its superiority earlier this season with a commanding 52–21 victory over Chicago in Week 2. The two teams will meet again in Week 18, a matchup that could have playoff implications — though nothing about this move suggests it will shift the balance of power.
In short, the Bears’ acquisition of Joe Tryon-Shoyinka doesn’t give the Lions any reason to worry — and that’s exactly how Detroit likes it.
