The Chicago Bears have long been known for their strong defensive line, with a history of dominant pass rushers like Richard Dent, Brian Urlacher, and Khalil Mack. However, in recent years, the Bears have faced a considerable problem with their edge rush. Despite having one of the best defenses in the league, their inability to consistently pressure the quarterback has been a glaring weakness.
But fear not, Bears fans. There is a viable solution staring the team in the face, and it could be the key to solving their biggest defensive problem. The answer? Pursuing a $20 million pass rusher in free agency.
First, let’s take a closer look at the current state of the Bears’ pass rush. Last season, they finished 14th in the league with 39 sacks, a respectable number but not enough to truly strike fear in opposing offenses. And when it came to pressuring the quarterback, the Bears ranked 25th in the league with a pressure rate of just 22.8%.
This lack of consistent pressure on the quarterback is a major issue for the Bears’ defense. Without a dominant edge rusher, opposing offenses have been able to focus on stopping Khalil Mack, limiting his impact on the game. And while Mack is undoubtedly one of the best pass rushers in the league, he can’t do it all on his own. The Bears need another threat on the outside to take some of the pressure off of Mack and keep opposing offenses on their toes.
Enter the $20 million pass rusher. While it may seem like a hefty price tag, it could be the missing piece that the Bears need to take their defense to the next level. In recent years, we’ve seen teams like the San Francisco 49ers and the Los Angeles Rams invest heavily in their pass rush, and it has paid off in spades.
Take the 49ers, for example. In 2019, they signed Dee Ford to a five-year, $85.5 million contract, making him the second-highest-paid edge rusher in the league at the time. Many questioned the move, but it proved to be a smart investment as Ford helped lead the 49ers to the Super Bowl and recorded 6.5 sacks and 14 quarterback hits in the regular season.
Now, imagine pairing a player like Dee Ford with Khalil Mack on the Bears’ defensive line. That would be a nightmare for opposing offenses. And with the Bears’ current cap space and the expected increase in the salary cap for the 2022 season, they have the resources to make a move for a top pass rusher.
But who exactly should the Bears target? There are a few options in free agency, including players like Yannick Ngakoue and Bud Dupree. However, there is one name that stands out above the rest – Shaquil Barrett.
Barrett has been a dominant force for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers over the past two seasons, recording a total of 27.5 sacks and 46 quarterback hits. He also played a key role in the Buccaneers’ Super Bowl win last season, recording 3 sacks and 7 quarterback hits in the playoffs. And at just 28 years old, he still has plenty of prime years left in him.
So why would Barrett be a good fit for the Bears? For starters, he excels in both pressuring the quarterback and defending the run, making him a well-rounded player that would fit seamlessly into the Bears’ defense. He also has experience playing in a 3-4 defense, which is what the Bears run, so there would be no adjustment period for him.
But perhaps the most enticing reason to pursue Barrett is his connection to Bears’ defensive coordinator Sean Desai. Desai was a defensive assistant coach for the Buccaneers from 2016-2018, meaning he has firsthand experience working with Barrett. This could be a major selling point for Barrett and could be the key to luring him to Chicago.
Of course, signing Barrett would come at a price. But with the expected salary cap increase and some creative restructuring of contracts, the Bears can afford to make a move for him. And the payoff could be huge. With Barrett, Mack, and Akiem Hicks leading the charge on the defensive line, the Bears would have one of the most formidable pass rushes in the league.
In the end, it all comes down to the Bears’ willingness to make a bold move in free agency
