The Chicago Bears enter 2020 with a number of objectives. Most of them focus squarely on the offensive side of the ball. As they should. It finished 27th in the NFL and was the primary reason they finished 8-8. That being said, the defense can't be ignored. There are question marks to figure out at a number of positions like safety, cornerback and inside linebacker. None are hazier than outside linebacker. Khalil Mack is a star of course. It's beyond him where things get interesting.
This past season was supposed to be the breakout year for Leonard Floyd. Instead the former 1st round pick flopped with just three sacks. Nobody else did any better as Aaron Lynch, Isaiah Irving, and James Vaughters failed to combine for that amount. Now all three are free agents, leaving the depth at that position in serious confusion. Add in the fact the Bears don't have a ton of money to spend, they might need to get creative on finding solutions.
Enter Aldon Smith.
Remember him? Most football fans have probably long forgotten. Once a 1st round pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 2011, Smith was a dominant pass rusher. In his first three seasons in the NFL, he had 42 sacks. Unfortunately, maturity issues soon led to substance abuse problems and multiple encounters with law enforcement. This included DUIs, domestic violence, and even being arrested at an airport under suspicion of carrying a bomb.
This led to a one-year suspension in 2016. He later applied for reinstatement but was denied and hasn't seen a football field since. Most felt his career was over, victim to Smith's rampant personal issues. However, according to insider Jay Glazer, the 30-year old is working hard to turn his life around and make a comeback as he explained on the Peter King Podcast.
"So Aldon Smith actually got brought to us from MVP Foundation. Merging Vets and Players. Taking combat vets and merging them together with former...first NFL players but now every sport.
So he got brought in through Jerry Steinberg, one of our MVPers, and...look I'm always looking to give someone a second chance if they deserve it. What I loved about Aldon, and I knew him when he played and I didn't like him when he played...He came in and he's like, 'Listen, I'm living in Sober Living. It's my fault I'm out of the league. It's nobody else's. It's me.'
He really was just like, 'They don't owe me anything. I just want to do some good now.' So he started working with our vets at MVP. He showed up every single Wednesday night to work with these vets."
This statement struck a chord with Glazer.
"So I said do you want to play? He says, 'I'd love to play but it doesn't necessarily mean I deserve it. I'm not owed it but I'd love to.' So I said let's start walking, man. Let's get you out there. Let's starting training. Just got him hooked on with an agent in Ron Slavin. He's shown up every single day for the past six months. He's completely clean and sober."
Should the Chicago Bears consider Smith?
Obviously a lot of people will roll their eyes at this, and understandably so. It's hard to believe a player with such a troubled past can turn his life around. Then again there is evidence of it all the time. Michael Vick is one of the most notable. Andy Reid was the one who gave him that chance back in 2009 and it worked out. Matt Nagy was there for it. So he's seen the benefits of giving talented players a second chance.
Besides, Glazer admitted that he never liked Smith when the pass rusher played. They rubbed each other the wrong way. That speaks to how much of a personality change Smith has undergone. Convincing a guy like Glazer to back you is significant.
The same goes Ron Slavin, the agent who signed with him. This is a man who also represents Buster Skrine and Charles Leno Jr. So the Bears know him well, which is also important to note. Nobody is saying they should offer Smith significant money. He would probably cost a minimal contract and would be a one-year deal. A test to see if he can stay out of trouble.
If he fails, no big deal. However, if he regains some of that old form? The Chicago Bears could benefit in a huge way.
Comments
Join the discussion below. Keep it civil and focused on the content.
Loading comments...