Dennis Allen Expected To Push Bears To Pursue Championship Hero

Ben Johnson might be the head coach, but he's not naive. He knows where his area of expertise is. That is the offense. He knew he needed to find a coach who could handle a good deal of autonomy on the defensive side. It was why he targeted Dennis Allen. Not only did the man have a successful track record as a defensive coordinator, but he'd also been a head coach twice. He understood how to operate by himself with no oversight. One can imagine the Chicago Bears will give him plenty of leeway to retool the defense however he wants it.

That means finding players in the upcoming 2025 NFL draft who Allen may hone in on. Quinten Krzysko is one of the more respected tape experts covering the Bears. He believes there is one name in this class that screams "Allen guy." That is Ohio State edge rusher Jack Sawyer.

"Sawyer is an excellent fit for the Bears, and I firmly expect them to consider him in the second round. While he is not my cup of tea, I operate under the umbrella of EDGE rushers that I enjoy watching. The Bears will draft an EDGE rusher that fits what Dennis Allen wants to do. What does Dennis Allen want in an EDGE rusher?

He wants a stout player who can stunt inside without losing their ability to defend the run. A player who is excellent at spiking offensive guards while still attached to offensive tackles, allowing looping defensive tackles free runs at the quarterback. And someone who can set a hard edge against the run while playing head-up on an offensive tackle. By my count, Sawyer checks all of those boxes."

Sawyer was the beating heart of the Buckeyes defense last season. He caught fire down the stretch, collecting six sacks in the final six games while also nabbing an interception and a forced fumble return for a touchdown.

Dennis Allen may have one primary issue with Sawyer.

There is no disputing his power. His ability to deliver forceful blows and hold his ground against blockers is evident all over his tape. The primary concern is his length. Sawyer only has 31-inch arms. That is incredibly short for a defensive lineman. Allen traditionally prefers defensive ends to have 34 inches or more in length, with 33 being the red line. Sawyer would be a significant departure from that. All of the other qualities mentioned above do apply. He is a rugged, relentless, and determined player.

Johnson said he wants big-game performers on this team. Sawyer absolutely qualifies. This past season wasn't an anomaly. He had three sacks against Missouri in the Cotton Bowl at the end of the 2023 season as well. Sawyer brings his best when the lights are brightest. Can Dennis Allen look past the length concerns and his average athleticism? We will likely find out on Day 2 of the draft next month.