BRUTAL TRADE: A project is signed by the Miami Dolphins as a free.
Bears Free Agent Signing Projections Don’t miss the mark.
When Montez Sweat pressured passers, the Bears enjoyed what they saw, but it frequently proved problems when offensive lines overplayed him. They are aware that they do not want to blitz 22.2% of the time once more, which was the highest finish for blitz rate by any of Matt Eberflus’ six NFL defenses, according to Sportsradar, ranking 21st overall. Eric Washington, the new defensive coordinator, stated that would stop because of this. “We’d like to be—we’re going to be—a team that generates pressure with our front four,” Washington stated. “We intend to construct the most proficient pass rush in football. We have the staff to complete that, and that is a fortunate area in which I have had great success.”
To finish this, he’s going to probably require additional assistance. The draft won’t contain everything. Some would, but there are free agency possibilities outside of shelling out $35 million for Chris Jones. Some web analysts believe the Bears have choices here or at other spots as free agency draws near. Focus on Pro Football After considering all of the free-agency edge rush alternatives, Brad Spielberger suggested four players he believed the Bears should target. Not as terrifying as it seems The main issue with Spielberger’s Bears targets—aside from the fact that a few seem like fits—is that he seems overly concerned with their cap space. Considering how urgent this need is in relation to their cap, he was being blatantly chintzy.
He identified four players—Houston defensive end Jonathan Greenard, Buffalo end A.J. Epenesa, Indianapolis edge rusher Tyquan Lewis, and San Francisco edge rusher Clelin Ferrell—as suitable fits for the Bears.
According to Overthecap.com, a team with $66.3 million in effective cap space ought to set their sights a little higher than those of Greenard and other low-level free agents.
In four years, Epenesa has amassed 15 1/2 sacks, but his 6-foot-6, 260 stature makes him a prototypical defensive end for the Bears. Although, according to Sportradar, he has only had 14 pressures in each of the last three seasons and seven QB knockdowns in the last two, he did receive 13 of those in the previous two years and looks to be improving. Spielberger does raise a legitimate concern, namely that Epenesa is acquainted with the
Lewis is another player who has a history with this coaching staff and who appears to be improving after a very sluggish start to his career.
Spielberger noted that in 2023, “Lewis doubled his prior career high in a season with 44 pressures.” Lewis is 6-3, 267, which is an ideal size for an end in Eberlfus’ plan, and it’s an amazing total. However, he ought to be. Eberflus was instrumental in getting him selected by the Colts in the 2018 NFL Draft. Lewis equaled his career high with just four sacks despite creating a lot of pressure.
In six seasons, he has only amassed 13 1/2 sacks. A club that already has Sweat and many pass rushers who aren’t very good doesn’t need another player who can’t log at least six sacks a game.
Greenard is without a doubt the best Spielberger player on this list. After he recorded eight sacks in 2021, he enjoyed a breakthrough season. However, after missing more than half of the 2022 season due to injuries, many people forgot about him. But he did provide 12 1/2 sacks during the Texans’ playoff run last season. Sweat from the previous year had the same amount. And 32 pressures were on him. Greenard was expected to earn $13.4 million annually by Spotrac.com, which is marginally more than the Bears gave Ngakoue last season. In
