Biggest remaining need for the Chicago Bears after 2023 NFL Draft
The Chicago Bears continued their offseason domination in the 2023 NFL Draft over the weekend. The Bears have done well to address positions of critical need throughout free agency and in the draft, but there still is one area the team could stand to improve. Chicago finished last in the NFL in sacks the 2022 […]
The Chicago Bears continued their offseason domination in the 2023 NFL Draft over the weekend. The Bears have done well to address positions of critical need throughout free agency and in the draft, but there still is one area the team could stand to improve.
Chicago finished last in the NFL in sacks the 2022 season. While the Bears did find plenty of talent on the defensive side of the ball in the draft, they weren’t able to walk away with a premier pass rusher.
Chicago selected three interior defensive linemen in Gervon Dexter (53), Zacch Pickens (64) and Travis Bell (218). The Bears most certainly beefed up its defensive line, but that trio is most likely to impact the team’s rush defense, which also needed to be revamped.
Chicago signed DeMarcus Walker to bolster the pass rush in free agency, but the defense is still missing that bonafide game-wrecker. The offseason is far from finished and there’s still time to find an established pass rusher.
Let’s take a look at a few options in free agency.
Yannick Ngakoue
Ngakoue is the best available pass rusher currently in free agency. The third-round pick in 2016 has recorded at least eight sacks in each of his seven seasons in the NFL. Ngakoue has bounced around the league quite a bit, having played for five teams, but has flourished over the last two years. The premier pass rusher has registered 19.5 sacks in his last two seasons (Raiders, Colts) and is poised to wreak havoc on whichever defensive line he lands on in 2023.
Robert Quinn
The former Bear is back on the market after a disappointing finish to his 2022 season with the Eagles. Having played in 36 games for Chicago in the last three seasons, perhaps Quinn is best served back in the Windy City. Quinn turns 33 this offseason, but isn’t too far removed from his 18.5-sack campaign in 2021.
Jadeveon Clowney
Clowney’s price tag might not match his performance over the last few seasons, but he still shows signs of that unique explosivity. In 2022, Clowney failed to make a real impact with two sacks in 12 games. However, he did total nine sacks in 2021. If he can stay healthy, he would make for a great addition. Unfortunately that is a Clowney-sized if.
