Ryan Poles spent this past offseason investing heavily in the trenches, dropping close to $200 million on revamping both the offensive and defensive lines.
But despite having a healthy Montez Sweat and adding Dayo Odeyingbo, the pass rush for the Chicago Bears could still use some assistance.
If Poles and the Bears are looking to add some help — and they really should be — Yetur Gross-Matos is over in San Francisco behind the likes of Nick Bosa, Bryce Huff and first-round rookie Mykel Williams on the depth chart.
A rumored trade candidate for months, Gross-Matos has a cap hit just over $9.4 million. While the Bears could afford that, if the 49ers would agree to eat a little of his salary, that would be ideal. Still, he’s a player worth looking into if you’re Poles. Here’s why.
Gross-Matos Was a 2nd-Round Pick for the Carolina Panthers in 2020
Gross-Matos spent his first four years in Carolina with the Panthers after Carolina took him in the second round (38th overall) in 2020.
His time in Carolina was a mixed bag. He amassed 13 sacks, 142 tackles (19 for loss), 30 QB hits and two forced fumbles. He had a handful of moments that reminded you why he went early, but he also had problems with consistency. He’d flash on one series and disappear the next.
YGR signed with the 49ers on a a two-year, $18 million deal in 2024, but a knee injury sidelined him for a chunk of last season. When he got back on the field in December, he made some noise. His three-sack eruption in Week 14 earned him NFC Defensive Player of the Week, and while he finished with a modest 19 tackles and 4.0 sacks in 11 games, the tape shows a player who can still be plenty disruptive. At 27, he’s not some aging vet clinging to a role. He’s in his prime and might just need the right spot.
What Might a Trade for Edge Yetur Gross-Matos Cost the Chicago Bears?
GettySan Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Yetur Gross-Matos could be a trade option for the Chicago Bears.
If either Sweat or Odeyingbo were to miss time, the Bears would be looking at a serious drop-off, particularly with backup edge Austin Booker currently on injured reserve. That’s a dangerous way to live in today’s NFL. Gross-Matos could hop into the rotation while giving defensive coordinator Dennis Allen another option on the D-line.
So, what might it take to add Gross-Matos via trade for the Bears?
We think a 2026 fifth-round pick, with a conditional bump to a fourth if Gross-Matos hits 8.0 sacks would do it.
San Francisco would likely be stoked to take a fifth-rounder for a player who likely isn’t in their long-term plans, and Chicago would snag another pass rusher to push Odeyingbo, who didn’t look all that promising in limited snaps during the preseason.
Gross-Matos wouldn’t come in and suddenly make the Bears a top-10 pass-rushing unit, but he would give them another option, and it’s definitely possible Allen could help elevate his game.
Gross-Matos has been sidelined throughout 49ers training camp with a knee injury, but if he’s healthy and able to pass his physicals, the Bears should be interested.
Bears Trade Pitch Sends 49ers 27-Year-Old Edge to Chicago