Whenever a new coaching staff comes in, the smart money to bet is on those coaches urging the front office to pursue certain players in free agency. Players they know and believe they can make good use of. One of the first things Matt Eberflus did upon taking over the Chicago Bears in 2022 was bring in veteran defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad. There is every reason to think that Ben Johnson and his new staff will do the same. One man who has plenty of connections to the upcoming free agent class is defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.
Chicago needs defensive line help going into next year. While free agency isn’t likely where they’re going to find their next stud, it could be where they seek some much-needed depth. One name Allen is certain to push for is Marcus Davenport. The 28-year-old was a 1st round pick by the New Orleans Saints in 2018. Over his first four years, during which Allen was the defensive coordinator, he had 21.5 sacks in 48 games. That includes nine in just 11 games in 2021.
Unfortunately, his effectiveness dipped after leaving the team in 2023, much of it due to injury setbacks.
The Chicago Bears have every reason to take a flier on Davenport.
His health issues mean he will likely come cheap. He is still on the younger side, which means he has a chance to rebound. Allen knows him better than anybody. The fact he won’t be a starter means the wear and tear on his body won’t be as severe. If the Chicago Bears can get him even remotely close to his 2021 form, their defensive line will be much more formidable than last season. Davenport isn’t the only one, too. Chase Young is another name Allen worked with this past season. He has familiarity with Montez Sweat as well from their time in Washington together. Presuming the Bears focus their big money on the offensive line, this would be a fiscally responsible move to continue helping their defense.
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Just remember that this team is long on serviceable and short on star power. Do not be surprised if we see a few splash signings and then trades up rather than down.
Bears need some proven talent on both lines to make a difference in this roster. Also need to find another Safety, RB, and TE that can realistically be starters.
I don’t know that now is the time to discuss flyers. College All Star games are upon us and it’s already time to get serious about some true personnel upgrades for 2025.
@Dr.Sallie: I agree that you build through the draft, but it’s important in FA to fill in the cracks, to put yourself in a position so that if a player falls to you, you can pull the trigger. Or, to put it another way, set yourself up so that you don’t NEED to draft a specific position, so you can choose the best player at ANY position. So the Bears will probably pick up some middle of the road guard, center and OT options, so that they can take, say, Mason Graham or Abdul Carter, if either of them inexplicably… Read more »
If I was going to sign a FA pass rusher, I’d go with a more proven commodity that would still be less than a huge contract. For that, I would look to bringing Kahlil Mack back. I saw it reported it would probably take $14 or $15 million per year for two years. With his age and production, I think pairing him with Demarcus Walker to hold down one side opposite Sweat would be a good mix, allowing Mack to focus more on passing downs, with Walker being a very good run defender who also has the ability to slide… Read more »
The Bears should build through the draft primarily. If this were to be the case in practice rather than in theory or mere rhetoric, then the NFL Draft selections and UDFAs should be signed before the Free Agency period. But since they are not, one has to speculate more on the combination of selections and signings, balancing needs and availability, more precariously. I prefer drafting BPA rather than for need or overpaying early for costly free agents before the draft given the current system ordering. I’m sure this is a small minority view with the NFL Players Association and most… Read more »