Chicago Bears could steal one of their biggest rival's best players from the last 10 years
A big reason why the Chicago Bears turned their season around over the back half of the 2023 season was because the defense really found its groove over that span.It's not much of a coincidence a lot of the improvement came after the Montez Sweat trade. Matt Eberflus' defense has to have an effective four-man […]
A big reason why the Chicago Bears turned their season around over the back half of the 2023 season was because the defense really found its groove over that span.
It's not much of a coincidence a lot of the improvement came after the Montez Sweat trade. Matt Eberflus' defense has to have an effective four-man rush in order for his zone scheme to work and Sweat, along with a decent interior rotation of Andrew Billings, Gervon Dexter Sr., and Zacch Pickens, really ramped things up from Week 9-on. The Bears defense recorded just 10 sacks through the first eight games of the year, compared to 20 sacks over the final nine.
Just imagine what the pass rush could do if it were able to add an elite, proven player on the other side of Sweat?
Well, the Bears will have an opportunity to do just that, and it comes in the form of rival Minnesota Vikings pass rusher, Danielle Hunter.
Bears will have a great shot at landing Hunter in free agency
The "new deal" Hunter signed before the start of the 2023 season included a no-tag clause, so the franchise tag is not an obstacle for the Bears. The only way the Bears won't get a shot at Hunter is if he and the Vikings agree to a new deal before the new league year starts on March 13.
It's also unlikely that happens, because Kirk Cousins is Minnesota's No. 1 priority ahead of free agency because the team absorbs a $28.5 million hit if something isn't worked out by March 13. The team will also take a $15 million hit if something isn't worked out with Hunter, by then. So, the Vikings are going to have to choose between one or the other, likely leaving the non-priority to test the market.
And why would Hunter want to forgo testing the market? He is coming off the best season of his career and he's easily one of the Vikings' best players since he was selected with the 88th overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft – he's certainly the best pass rusher they've had over the span of time. In a perfect world, there's zero doubt the Vikings keep him, but obviously the NFL is far from a perfect world.
A career-best season, plus the fact Hunter turns 30 in October, will have him looking for a big pay day and that's not just speculation: Remember, Hunter did not participate in organized team activities nor minicamp last year because he wanted a new deal. He received said deal and then went above-and-beyond on the field, which is guaranteed to lead to multiple suitors if he hits the market.
The Bears make all the sense in the world, as they need an effective three-point rusher and that's what Hunter provides. They also have a ton of cap room -third-most at $78,335,157, per Over The Cap– so money isn't much of an issue. Especially if they draft a QB at No. 1.
Three teams immediately come to mind: Chicago Bears, Arizona Cardinals and Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Bears are entering year No. 3 with GM Ryan Poles at the helm. Head coach Matt Eberflus will be tasked with winning. Chicago, meanwhile, has the fourth most effective cap space, according to Over The Cap. The Bears need an edge rusher, and Hunter dominated against Eberflus’ Bears last season. The fit would work. – Alec Lewis, The Athletic
It all comes down to what Bears general manager Ryan Poles wants to do
Poles has made it clear he's not a fan of handing out big contracts to older players, but Hunter isn't past 30, yet. There's also the fact the Bears are allocating over 18% of their cap space to the defensive line in 2024 and GMs typically don't like allocating a ton of resources to one position group, outside of quarterback, of course.
Bringing Hunter in would represent yet another big investment on the defensive line. The unit would then include three well-paid at their respective positions and second- and third-round picks in Dexter and Pickens. But, again, the defensive line is as important to Eberflus' defense as a quarterback is to Shane Waldron's offense, so this could be the exception to the rule, so to speak.
Final word
The Bears definitely need to look into this move. Not only would get them closer to becoming a playoff team -and one could argue it'd get them there, itself- but it would also hurt a top rival in the Vikings.
Any time you can get a 1-2 combo in like that, it's a good idea. Especially if the stars align in all the other areas like they currently are.
NFL foe gave Bears an excellent backup plan in case they lose one of their best players in free agency
One team’s trash can easily be another’s treasure in the NFL.
