Bears boost defense, sign former first rounder
The Chicago Bears bolstered its defense by signing a former first-round pick on Wednesday afternoon. The Bears announced the signing of defensive end Taco Charlton, who was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys with the No. 28 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Chicago signed Charlton from the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad. The 28-year-old […]
The Chicago Bears bolstered its defense by signing a former first-round pick on Wednesday afternoon.
The Bears announced the signing of defensive end Taco Charlton, who was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys with the No. 28 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Chicago signed Charlton from the New Orleans Saints’ practice squad. The 28-year-old pass rush moves to the Bears’ active roster, making him eligible for the team’s Week 11 matchup with the Atlanta Falcons.
Though he’s yet to appear in a game this season, Charlton has accumulated 11.5 sacks in his career, and can add depth to the Bears’ front.
There is a sense of familiarity here as well. Bears head coach Matt Eberflus coached Charlton in their time together with the Cowboys while Eberflus was coaching linebackers.
In 2020, Charlton played in seven games with the Chiefs, while Chicago’s general manager Ryan Poles was serving in Kansas City’s front office.
Charlton is the second former first-rounder that Poles has taken a flyer on with the other being wide receiver N’Keal Harry. The Bears’ defense needs all the help it can get at the moment, so the potential reward outweighs the minuscule risk with Charlton.
Featured image via Matt Marton – USA TODAY Sports
