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?
Around Full Press Coverage
OPINION: Chicago Bears: New-Look Defense May Bring Back The Monsters
NFL: 3 Is Key Number For Broncos Quarterback Russell Wilson
NFL: Have the Green Bay Packers Assembled a Super Bowl Defense?
FULL PRESS BETS: Odds Favor The Avalanche To Repeat As Stanley Cup Champions
NHL: Colorado Avalanche Long Journey Back To The Stanley Cup
PODCAST: Full Press NFL Podcast Ep 42: Deebo Samuel Requests Trade; Possible Landing Spots
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.
-
Ep 113: The Patriots And The AFC East
by Full Press Coverage on March 17, 2023 at 2:14 pm
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.
-
Ep 148: Hall of Fame Voter John McClain Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on March 15, 2023 at 10:15 pm
Hall of Fame voter John McClain of Gallery Sports returns to the show to […]
-
Ep 147: Discussing Jerry Richardson's Complicated Legacyby Full Press Coverage on March 8, 2023 at 1:39 am
Pat Yasinkas joins Clark and Ira to discuss former Carolina Panthers owner […]
-
Nick Saban using Basketball Team's off court issues to send message to his Football Teamby LandryFootball.com on March 23, 2023 at 2:45 pm
Never one to miss an opportunity to send a strong message to his football […]
-
Draft Plans for AFC West & NFC West Teamsby LandryFootball.com on March 22, 2023 at 9:00 pm
We have lots more time before the picks are made in April's Draft but at […]
-
Ep 277: Free Agency March Madnessby Full Press Coverage on March 17, 2023 at 2:39 am
-
Ep 276: Franchise Tag 2023by Full Press Coverage on March 8, 2023 at 8:28 pm
-
Ep 275: Dynasty Dispersal Draftby Full Press Coverage on March 4, 2023 at 2:06 pm
-
Ep 274: Coaching Changes - Fantasy Football Impactby Full Press Coverage on March 2, 2023 at 8:29 pm
-
Episode 3.5: "Free Agent Frenzy" w/ Pete Hailey from NBC Sports Washington and "Big Doug" McCrayby Full Press Coverage on March 15, 2023 at 8:40 pm
George Carmi hosts NBC Sports Washington's Pete Hailey and Doug McCray on […]
-
Season 3.4: "Winds of Change" with Rick Snider of 106.7 The Fan and "Big Doug" McCrayby Full Press Coverage on March 2, 2023 at 10:33 pm
George Carmi hosts Rick Snider from 106.7 The Fan to discuss the latest […]
-
Full Press Islanders - Thursday, March 23rdby Full Press Coverage on March 23, 2023 at 4:00 pm
Good news on the Nelson injury front a look at the Penguins and the […]
-
Full Press Hurricanes - Thursday, March 23rdby Full Press Coverage on March 23, 2023 at 3:45 pm
A preview of tonight’s fourth and final regular matchup of the season […]
-
3/21 - Aaron Rodgers Latest, World Baseball Classic Talkby Full Press Coverage on March 21, 2023 at 6:59 pm
Ian and John talk more Aaron Rodgers and the excitement around the World […]
-
3/20 - Aaron Rodgers, Brandin Cooks, Boston Bruinsby Full Press Coverage on March 20, 2023 at 2:25 pm
Ian and John discuss the latest with Aaron Rodgers, the Brandin Cooks […]
-
3/17 - Aaron Rodgers, New England Patriots, AFC Eastby Full Press Coverage on March 17, 2023 at 2:16 pm
Ian and John discuss Aaron Rodgers, the New England Patriots, and the […]
-
3/16 - More Aaron Rodgers News, Wide Receivers Start Movingby Full Press Coverage on March 17, 2023 at 11:25 am
Ian and John discuss the latest on Aaron Rodgers and look at the latest […]
-
Ep 2: Top 5 Super Bowls Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 3:26 pm
Ian Glendon and John Sapochetti give their Top 5 Super Bowls of all time. […]
-
Ep 1: The Top 10 Quarterbacks Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 8:42 pm
On the first episode of 'According To Who?', host Ian Glendon and John […]
-
Cavs at Netsby Broken Controller Media on March 23, 2023 at 5:00 pm
-
Fight Stack: UFC Fight Night Landwehr vs Lingoby Full Press Coverage on March 23, 2023 at 4:00 pm
-
Knicks at Magicby Broken Controller Media on March 23, 2023 at 3:00 pm
-
FPH Daily: Stanley Cup Playoff Racesby Full Press Coverage on March 23, 2023 at 12:02 pm
-
Fight Stack: UFC Fight Night Lee vs Barberby Full Press Coverage on March 23, 2023 at 11:00 am
-
Ep. 153: Carnegie Mellon Univ, Head Football Coach Ryan Larsenby Full Press Coverage on March 23, 2023 at 5:00 am
-
Ep. 264: Lefty Leads Kings To Roaring Startby Full Press Coverage on March 23, 2023 at 5:00 am
-
Full Press MMA - Wednesday, March 22ndby Full Press Coverage on March 22, 2023 at 11:00 pm
-
Blazers at Jazzby Broken Controller Media on March 22, 2023 at 10:00 pm
-
1/6 - Damar Hamlin Update, Bills/Bengals, AFC Playoffs, Week 18 Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 6, 2023 at 3:11 pm
-
Winter Classic: Bruins Rally To Beat Penguins At Fenwayby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:09 am
-
1/3 - Bills/Bengals Postponed; Bruins Topple Penguins In Winter Classicby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:05 am
-
1/2 - Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Week 17, Bills/Bengalsby Full Press Coverage on January 3, 2023 at 3:22 am
-
12/30 - New Year's Eve, Luka Doncic, NBA Talk, Week 17 Preview and Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 1, 2023 at 2:29 am
-
Aaron Rodgers, Packers Win Third Straight; Playoffs In Sightby Full Press Coverage on December 27, 2022 at 7:36 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 230by Talkamania on September 6, 2022 at 11:43 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Revolution Reviewby Boot 2 The Face on March 10, 2023 at 12:42 am
AEW Revolution Review, Power Rankings, B2TF of the Week, and […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 215by Boot 2 The Face on March 2, 2023 at 12:50 am
We are back talking Kenny Omega's importance to AEW. Also, we break down […]