The Chicago Bears couldn’t afford to leave the first day of free agency without getting some help for their defensive line. After Javon Hargrave, Dre’Mont Jones, and other top names took big deals elsewhere, GM Ryan Poles opted for somebody under the radar. That is DeMarcus Walker. The defensive end had a breakout season for the Tennessee Titans in 2022, notching seven sacks and 16 quarterback hits. He brings good size and length, plenty of power, and enough quickness to play both inside and outside. He’s the type Matt Eberflus typically likes.
No, Walker is not the start Chicago needs. Expecting to find that in free agency was never realistic. What the Bears required was upgrades over what they had. Walker fits that profile. He is 28 years old and currently playing his best football. Most of his sacks and pressures came over the final ten games of last season. Eberflus likely sees him as another Denico Autry. He can move inside and outside, using his power and length to create penetration at the line of scrimmage.
The Chicago Bears are far from done.
Walker is merely the first piece of the puzzle. There is a strong possibility Poles and Eberflus will at two or three more starters to this front four before the end of next month. That is how much help they need. The good news is there are still some solid veterans out there. Dalvin Tomlinson, A’Shawn Robinson, and Poona Ford are worth looking into at defensive tackle. Samson Ebukam, Frank Clark, Yannick Ngakoue, and Arden Key remain available on the edge market. Signing even one of them would give the Bears a nice cushion going into the draft.
This 2023 class seems loaded with young talent. The Chicago Bears have three picks in the first two rounds. They could possibly find two starters up front with a little luck. One thing remains clear. This regime won’t be intimidated by the outside noise. They intend to avoid overpaying. Getting Walker at $7 million per year is solid market value. He will help. More will come in the subsequent days and weeks. The key is not to get too caught up in the drama.
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
The article is clear. The big-name guys took deals elsewhere. The Bears settled for a second-tier guy who could be a very good find but only had one good season. I’m afraid that this may be a pattern which will be repeated for this year’s entire crop of free agents. First choice goes elsewhere, Bears get to pick from the second rank of free agents.
Wes —
Not only “too costly” but Brown Jr. also:
▪︎. Surrendered 47 pressures on Patrick Mahomes (a QB that knows how to handle an NFL pass rush);
▪︎ wants to play LT, exclusively ($$$ position);
▪︎ will be 27 years old, in May — Braxton and Larry turn 24 years old, this month — and each will get better with experience (if Ryan Poles doubts that, draft Paris Johnson, etc.); and
▪︎. both, O-line coach Andy Heck and HC Andy Reid waived good-bye!
Orlando Brown is too costly! There are others who would be more suited for the Bears.
To those saying we should get Orlando Brown – there’s a reason why he’s still available. The money ain’t right.
I’m interested in what we get at the offensive tackle positions…