Chicago Bears Training Camp Preview: the Defensive Line

The defensive line is up next in our preview of the Chicago Bears training camp. The defensive line was always a strong point for the defense. Is it still one today?

We continue our preview of the Chicago Bears as they head into training camp. Next up is the defensive line.

The defensive line has normally been the strong point of the Bears’ defense. The unit consistently put pressure on quarterbacks and shut down the opponents’ running game.

While the line sacked quarterbacks a lot in 2021 (they were fourth in the NFL with 49, there were problems. They ranked 23rd in rushing yards allowed. Additionally, they ranked 28th in quarterback pressures.

This season, with a new coaching staff, the Chicago Bears switch back to a 4-3 base defensive scheme, the team hopes things change.

Will we see the return of the rough and tumble defensive line we’re used to seeing?

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Players on the unit

As I mentioned, there was a lot of turnover on the defensive line. New general manager Ryan Poles had to cut or trade players in order to free up salary cap space.

As a result the unit now looks different. The Bears did bring back Trevis Gipson, Robert Quinn, Angelo Blackson, Khyris Tonga, and Mario Edwards Jr. in the rotation. They added Justin Jones, Al-Quadin Muhammad, and Mike Pennel Jr. via free agency. Also, they drafted Dominique Robinson in the fifth round.

The new line is definitely younger and more athletic. There is a problem, however. There was a changeover in personnel, but the question is if there are enough players with experience with the new scheme. The Bears now have players who haven’t played in that scheme for a while or players used to playing in the 3-4 scheme.

Now we’ll see if these new players can adjust to the new scheme and bring back the successful defensive line.

Can Gipson continue his ascent and what happens with Quinn?

Gipson had a terrific season last year. He stepped up when Khalil Mack had to have season-ending surgery. He had 7 sacks and 5 forced fumbles.

Gipson played well enough to make Mack expendable. Mack’s contract was an albatross on the Bears’ salary cap. With Gipson playing well, Poles could trade him and free up a ton of money for the next several years. Now, the Bears have the second-highest salary cap space left this season and the most going into next offseason.

Now we have to see how Gipson plays when he’s the full-time starter. It’s one thing to play in Mack’s absence, let’s see what happens when everyone knows he’s the man now.

The other question is what happens with Quinn. Last season, he broke the all-time single-season sacks record. He is 32 years old, though, so he won’t be a part of the rebuild. Furthermore, the Bears could free up even more money should they trade him. If they trade him this season, they’ll save themselves almost $40 million in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Quinn failed to report to the mandatory OTAs so it looks like he’d like to leave Chicago, preferably to a contender. Trading him could be a win-win for Chicago.

Robinson is a player that raises excitement. While he is a project (he’s only played defensive end for two years), he is an athletic dynamo. He was a former quarterback and wide receiver so he has a lot of knowledge to help him succeed. As he sees more snaps, he’ll be so much better. Having him and Gipson together could give the Bears a force on the edge they expected when they had Quinn and Mack. Only this time, they’ll have younger players.

Projection for 2022

This will be a hard-working unit, but inexperience will show up at times. We’ll see better results than we saw last season, but it won’t be a big step. Quinn likely gets traded so Muhammad takes over the other starting defensive end spot.

As mentioned, Poles has some money to spend on available free agents. There will certainly be some players to choose from when cuts begin during training camp around the league. Perhaps Poles finds someone else to help the unit.

It is quicker to assemble a defense than an offense. Poles could set up the unit to succeed down the road. Without Quinn, Robinson will receive more snaps than originally planned, thus speeding up his development.

We’ll see some improved play and some excitement, but it will still be a work in progress.