The Chicago Bears pass rush ranks first in terms of team enigmas going into 2018. Last season their top 10 defense registered 42 sacks total. This despite none of their rushers managing to reach double digits. While that gives some hope that things will be okay, it’s worth noting that three men responsible for more than a third of those sacks are gone. Pernell McPhee and Willie Young were cut. Lamarr Houston left in free agency.
Leonard Floyd is still in place, but after that, it gets a bit dicey. Former 49ers linebacker Aaron Lynch had back-to-back seasons of six sacks in 2014 and 2015 but hasn’t done much of anything since. Sam Acho is a decent backup but already in his 30s. Kasim Edebali is a journeyman. Isaiah Irving was an undrafted free agent last season with limited playing experience.
That just leaves rookie sixth round pick Kylie Fitts who had a number of injury concerns at Utah that clearly impacted his effectiveness. There are a lot of question marks. This leads one to think the Bears might not be done adding to the position, provided some interesting names become available. One that they should be following is third-year man Carl Nassib.
Carl Nassib may not solve but could help Bears pass rush
It’s clear the Cleveland Browns are trying to escape the Sashi Brown era as quickly as possible. Being a former draft pick of that now unemployed GM, Nassib is not exactly a favorite in Cleveland these days. Pat McManamon of ESPN believes his spot on the roster is far from guaranteed and that the Browns may cut their losses within the next two months or so.
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“Injuries to Myles Garrett and Emmanuel Ogbah meant that Nassib started 12 games in 2017. His most memorable play was when he lined up offside in Chicago, negating an interception return for a touchdown by Garrett. Ogbah’s return to health combined with the drafting of Chad Thomas puts Nassib, a third-round pick in 2016, at risk of not making the roster.”
Nassib was a fascinating prospect coming out of Penn State in 2016. Scouts and experts loved his motor, his 6’6 size, and 34-inch arms and good instincts. Mike Mayock even compared him to Jared Allen. The one problem was his technique. It was clear coming out of college that he had talent but also a limited understanding of what being an NFL pass rusher requires, especially from a fundamentals standpoint.
Cleveland may not be willing to wait any longer for him to come around. This despite evidence of progress last season. Though he had just three sacks, Nassib did apply pressure on the quarterback on a number of occasions. He just hasn’t quite figured out how to finish. Yet.
That said he’s only 25-years old. There is still plenty of time for him to keep learning and growing. Given his general lack of body mass but positive length, he may actually be a better fit as a 3-4 outside linebacker. Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio loves pass rushers with his sort of traits, even at the cost of some athleticism. He’s also known for elevating players who might’ve been misused or underappreciated elsewhere.
One name to recall is Jeff Posey.
The former edge rusher spent the first four seasons of his career as a part-time backup in San Francisco, Jacksonville, and Carolina. He never had more than two sacks in a season during that time. He arrived under Fangio in 2002 and promptly broke out for eight sacks that year. That turned into a nice contract from Buffalo.
If he can do it for a former undrafted free agent from Southern Miss like Posey, why can’t Fangio do it for a former third round pick from Penn State like Nassib? The Bears have every reason to find out if the Browns do indeed cut him loose before the regular season.
