Chicago Bears: Pass Rush Options Available For Ryan Poles

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles did a good job of overhauling the roster. Still, he needs another pass rusher. Here are some available options.

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles has certainly been busy this offseason. After a 3-14 season, he had to be. There were plenty of holes that needed filling.

Fortunately for Poles, he had the tools to rebuild the roster. He had the number one pick to work with. Taking advantage of that, he acquired an extra pick in this year’s draft and two more in future drafts (including a valuable 2024 first-round pick). He ended up with 10 selections in this year’s NFL Draft.

Additionally, Poles had almost $100 million in salary cap space. That amount was easily the highest in the NFL. With that money, he acquired more than a dozen free agents.

The 2023 Chicago Bears roster looks much different and stronger, at least on paper. Of course, you do not win games on paper and the new players have to prove things on the field. Still, the quality of the players on the roster gives fans the belief that the rebuild is on the right path.

While Poles has done a good job so far of rebuilding the team, his job this year is not done just yet. Yes, there is added talent and depth in nearly every position. However, there is one glaring hole — pass rusher.

The Bears need to improve their pass rush

Last season, the Chicago Bears had a horrible pass rush. They ranked last in sacks, pressures, and knockdowns. They just could not get to the quarterback. Basically, opposing quarterbacks could stand in the pocket, eat a sandwich, and then find an open receiver.

Poles wants to change that. One way he felt to do that was to fortify the middle of the defensive line. He spent three of his ten draft picks on defensive tackles. He also signed Andrew Billings to go with Justin Jones.

Poles wanted to have the guys in the middle to take up space and double teams to create space for the pass rushers. With them facing more one-on-one matchups, they should be able to get to the quarterback better than they did in 2022.

The Bears have Dominque Robinson, Trevis Gipson, DeMarcus Walker, and Rasheem Green. Robinson was a project last season but performed better than anyone expected. Still, he needs more seasoning. Gipson did a good job as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. Last season, as a defensive end in a 4-3, he struggled. It remains to be seen if that was just a blip or if he just can’t do the job.

Walker registered career highs in tackles with 32 and sacks with 7 in 2022. We don’t know if that was him blooming or just a contract year boost.

Green is a hybrid who can move around. He provides added depth to the position.

Still available options left

That means there is still a need for an impactful pass rusher. After the first and second waves of free agency, there are still good options available. For one reason or another, some good pass rushers still have not signed. As we get closer to training camp most of them will end up signing.

One good thing to know is that Poles still has $31 million in effective cap space. That is still tops in the league and over $11 million more than the next team behind them, the Carolina Panthers. Because of Poles’ disciplined spending, he still has the money to go after who he feels might be the best fit on the team.

Who is available that can make an impact on the Chicago Bears pass rush? Here is a list of possible choices.

Jadeveon Clowney, age 30

Jadeveon Clowney was the number one pick of the 2014 draft. After an injury prevented him from playing at all that season, he never quite lived up to the promise he had. He showed flashes of brilliance but has not been consistent.

Clowney could come in on a one-year deal and move if Poles decides to go after available free agents or use one of his draft picks in 2024.  At any rate, he’d be an upgrade from last season.

Justin Houston, age 34

Poles could decide to go for a veteran to help some of the younger players. Justin Houston is a 13-year veteran of the league. Also, he is familiar with Poles when both were with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Houston can come in and mentor the young players on what they should do. He still has some juice, recording 9.5 sacks in 2022. The entire defensive end unit recorded just 6.5 sacks combined.

Leonard Floyd, age 30

Leonard Floyd was the first-round draft pick of the Chicago Bears in 2016. He struggled with weight in his years with Chicago. He could not gain and maintain his weight.

After Floyd signed with the Los Angeles Rams in 2020, he put it all together. In his four seasons with the Bears, he recorded 18.5 sacks. In his three seasons in Los Angeles, he recorded 29 sacks.

Perhaps a reunion with the Bears could be in order.

Yannick Ngakoue, age 28

Yannick Ngakoue could be a popular choice for the Bears. He registered 65 sacks in his seven-year career and at least eight in each season. Last season, he had 9.5 sacks and 29 total tackles.

Ngakoue is young enough to play on a multi-year contract. However, he’s played on four teams in the last four seasons. One reason could be that he struggles against the run.

Poles still has some options to find a pass rusher. Let’s see if he pulls the trigger and finds someone who can at least provide some help in 2023. Doing so can really bring some excitement to the franchise.