Defensive end is one position that continues to make some Chicago Bears fans nervous. Nobody disputes Montez Sweat is a stud. He will be the focal point of their entire operation. Andrew Billings and Gervon Dexter should form a strong tandem at defensive tackle. As for the other edge spot, it's questionable. DeMarcus Walker seems like the projected starter, but he isn't a pure pass rusher. His value is more as a run defender. That leaves veteran Jacob Martin and 5th round pick Austin Booker as their best options.
Martin had a career-high four sacks under Lovie Smith in 2021. He isn't what anybody would call a premium option. Booker has tons of upside but is totally unproven. GM Ryan Poles has insisted the Bears like the depth chart they've put together. However, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune thinks the team might be playing possum. Poles' message is more of a signal to potential free agents that the team is unwilling to pay whatever asking prices they have. Numbers need to come down before the Bears engage.
That and the team wants to see what they have in padded practices first.
If you were reading between the lines when Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles — unprompted — talked about the team’s depth at defensive end before training camp started last weekend, you could have inferred he was sending a message to potential job seekers that the Bears won’t be big spenders.
“The topic of the defensive end position has popped up multiple times,” Poles said. “It’s our job to look at every option that’s out there to improve our football team. We feel really comfortable with the guys we have on our roster now, and I’m excited to see Travis (Smith, defensive line coach) and Eric (Washington, defensive coordinator) really put their hands on those guys and develop them as we go. But we will always have our eyes on the list of players that we could potentially bring in.”
One translation could be: “We like our guys enough that we’re not interested in paying what you’re seeking.”
The Chicago Bears now have a ballpark to work with.
Defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah made that clear when he signed a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins for $3.25 million this week. There is no way Yannick Ngakoue is getting more than that. Remember, he had four sacks last season and is coming off of a broken ankle. Ogbah had 5.5 and played the entire year. The same goes for Carl Lawson or any other free agent. They aren't getting anywhere close to the $10 million Chicago handed out last off-season. They are in a far stronger negotiating position.
Don't forget Ngakoue didn't sign with the Chicago Bears until one week into training camp. Things are still on the right timeline for them to make a move. A reunion with him seems like the most logical solution, especially after Miami scooped up Ogbah. Everything depends on what defensive coordinator Eric Washington thinks of Martin and Booker once the pads are on. If they flash enough, he may tell the Bears to stand pat. We will likely know at some point next week.
