The rumors have persisted for months at this point. Almost everybody agrees the Chicago Bears have a glaring problem at edge rusher. DeMarcus Walker isn't enough in their eyes to solve the problem that dogged this team last season. Trevis Gipson and Dominique Robinson have potential but looked bad last season for long stretches. Rasheem Green brings decent depth but was never known for his great pass rush skills. They still need a sack artist of some kind. Thus far, GM Ryan Poles hasn't made a move.
It could be he's waiting. As training camp draws closer, players holding out for bigger contracts begin realizing they won't get what they want. It is here when teams can sometimes find a favorable deal. Poles proved this last season. People complained for weeks about the Bears' weakness on the offensive line. Then in a 24-hour span on July 25th and 26th, they added veterans Michael Schofield and Riley Reiff. Camp began on the 27th, so it was right under the wire.
This isn't an uncommon practice for Poles. He saw the Kansas City Chiefs do this several times during his tenure there. Training camp officially begins on the 27th again this year.
The Chicago Bears were wise to have patience.
Some feared the pass rusher market would dry up completely if they kept sitting on their hands. That has proven to be untrue. While most of the younger options are off the board, some quality older veterans could offer the Bears a solid one-year flier. Justin Houston turns 34 this year, but he had 9.5 sacks last season. He's also played in Matt Eberflus' defense before. Yannick Ngakoue is the youngest option at 28. He will probably also be the most expensive. It is also rumored he seeks to sign with a contender.
That leaves Jadeveon Clowney, Carlos Dunlap, and Melvin Ingram as the only other noteworthy names left. Clowney has healthy concerns. Dunlap just won the Super Bowl, so his motivation to keep playing is in question at 34 years old. Ingram had a solid year in Miami (6 sacks) but lacks the size the Chicago Bears prefer. This feels like something that will come down to cost. Poles will not overpay for players in their 30s. That is why he's been willing to wait this long. All he needs is for one of those names to drop their price and the move will be made.
With the number still without a home, the odds appear in his favor. Keep an ear out around the 25th or 26th for the news to drop.
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