The report date for Chicago Bears training camp is almost at hand. Players arrived on July 25th, with the first open practice coming two days later on the 27th. Right around this time, teams decide to make one or two roster moves to get this squared away. GM Ryan Poles did that last year, adding Michael Schofield and Riley Reiff to bolster the offensive line. Expectations are he has similar moves planned. It's already been reported the Bears are interested in veteran cornerback Arthur Maulet.
Now rumors are picking up that they're intensifying their search for edge rush help. David Kaplan of ESPN 1000 revealed as much on his YouTube channel. It isn't clear who the Bears are pursuing, whether it's via free agency or even the trade market. Poles is never shy about making bold moves when it feels the cost is fair. The most popular names connected to the team include veteran free agents Yannick Ngakoue and Justin Houston. Ngakoue is the younger of the two and has averaged eight or more sacks for his career. Houston has ties to both Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus.
There is also a belief that young rotational rusher Bryce Huff could also be available from the New York Jets.
The Chicago Bears may take this down to the wire.
Doing so gives them some leverage in negotiations, knowing players are anxious to be on a roster before training camp begins. Most of them don't like coming in later, reducing the time available to learn whatever system they're joining. Houston looks like a favorite at the moment. It looked like he might return to Baltimore for another season, but that fell through when the Ravens signed Dawuane Smoot instead. Now the former Pro Bowler must find a new home. Opting for familiarity under Eberflus would make sense.
Ngakoue is a pure pass rush specialist with little value as a run defender. Even so, he's more accomplished than everybody else on the Chicago Bears roster. He will also be the most expensive. Whispers are that he seeks a multi-year contract. He also hinted he would like to join a contender. Huff has never produced high sack totals but improved his overall pressure rate last season. This comes down to what Poles is willing to pay for. Houston might be the least expensive option, but he's also the oldest.
We should have our answer in the next 72 hours.
Comments
Join the discussion below. Keep it civil and focused on the content.
Loading comments...