The rumors have persisted for months at this point. Almost everybody agrees the Chicago Bears have a glaring problem at edge rusher. DeMarcus Walker isn’t enough in their eyes to solve the problem that dogged this team last season. Trevis Gipson and Dominique Robinson have potential but looked bad last season for long stretches. Rasheem Green brings decent depth but was never known for his great pass rush skills. They still need a sack artist of some kind. Thus far, GM Ryan Poles hasn’t made a move.
It could be he’s waiting. As training camp draws closer, players holding out for bigger contracts begin realizing they won’t get what they want. It is here when teams can sometimes find a favorable deal. Poles proved this last season. People complained for weeks about the Bears’ weakness on the offensive line. Then in a 24-hour span on July 25th and 26th, they added veterans Michael Schofield and Riley Reiff. Camp began on the 27th, so it was right under the wire.
This isn’t an uncommon practice for Poles. He saw the Kansas City Chiefs do this several times during his tenure there. Training camp officially begins on the 27th again this year.
The Chicago Bears were wise to have patience.
Some feared the pass rusher market would dry up completely if they kept sitting on their hands. That has proven to be untrue. While most of the younger options are off the board, some quality older veterans could offer the Bears a solid one-year flier. Justin Houston turns 34 this year, but he had 9.5 sacks last season. He’s also played in Matt Eberflus’ defense before. Yannick Ngakoue is the youngest option at 28. He will probably also be the most expensive. It is also rumored he seeks to sign with a contender.
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That leaves Jadeveon Clowney, Carlos Dunlap, and Melvin Ingram as the only other noteworthy names left. Clowney has healthy concerns. Dunlap just won the Super Bowl, so his motivation to keep playing is in question at 34 years old. Ingram had a solid year in Miami (6 sacks) but lacks the size the Chicago Bears prefer. This feels like something that will come down to cost. Poles will not overpay for players in their 30s. That is why he’s been willing to wait this long. All he needs is for one of those names to drop their price and the move will be made.
With the number still without a home, the odds appear in his favor. Keep an ear out around the 25th or 26th for the news to drop.
I’m in the minority when I say this but I’m not as concerned about getting an edge like Ngakoue as I am about getting a veteran o-linemen to backup the starters. The Bears d strength is in the middle. The interior have always been the harder positions to evaluate and bring in than the edge. The Bears did a good job of addressing that with some promising potential. So if we don’t get an edge guy I’m not gonna sweat it. We’ll just see what Robinson and Gipson can do with better tackles next to them. If all goes well… Read more »
I think way to many are overlooking the depth and potential of the Bears roster. Personally, I don’t see the Bears bringing in another DE/EDGE before training camp. With guys like Sewell, J Harris, and D’Anthony Jones having the physical potential to be special. Also, add in the simple fact that the interior DL is going to be scary this season with the additions already made with Dexter, Billings, Walker, J Jones, Pickens and Bell…there is a very good possibility they may not need to add an established vet DE/EDGE as people seem to think they should. Alot of talent… Read more »
Russell, The Bears signed DL Jalen Harris out of Arizona and D’Anthony Jones from Houston as UDFAs this spring. They also picked up a vet, Terrell Lewis (DL), in his 4th year out of Alabama. I agree that using Sewell as a pass rushing LB might be a really good thing. He has the size of a DE (he’s 20 pounds heavier than Will Anderson, that other kid out of ‘Bama), and moves like a linebacker. Could be a real steal in round 5 if he pans out that way. I’d love to see them split the 3rd LB duties… Read more »
They might catch lightning in a bottle with one or two guys.
Still like to see them sign Houston. Two guys platooning a position at 8 sacks each gives 16 for the position! That could work.
I think… most everyone has forgotten a couple promising UFDA. The kid from ‘Bama that “schooled” D’Wright on several plays during OTA’s. and the kid from U’ of Huston. (sorry I can’t remember their names, right now)(A’nthony ??) anyway… I think 1 or both of those guys are going to be MOTIVATED and wayyyyy cheaper…. Plus I’m thinking they MAY use Noel Sewell like Micha Parsons. So they MAY not want/need any of the aforementioned vets. I also think we can all agree we are not “1 killa DE” away from winning the SB. Sooooooo we have a season to… Read more »