One thing to remember about free agency is it always features more than just a handful of big names. There are other players available who could be targets by your team who aren't being discussed. That is especially true for the Chicago Bears and GM Ryan Poles now that a new coaching staff is in place. For the most part, the names discussed include Trey Smith, Drew Dalman, Chase Young, and Josh Sweat, among others, for obvious reasons. However, given the changes to who is running the team now, there is another name that should be mentioned.
Nick Bolton.
He is another player Poles is connected to from his time in Kansas City and is also a tremendous fit for Dennis Allen's defense. Remember, he likes to run a more aggressive defense. That requires linebackers who can play downhill as blitzes in the passing game. Bolton has done this with great success with the Chiefs under Steve Spagnulo, notching three sacks this past season. He's only 24 years old. Throw in his championship experience, and it's an easy sell.
Accommodating Bolton wouldn't be difficult for Ryan Poles.
People will immediately argue the Bears are already locked in at linebacker with Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards. They can't afford to sink more money into that position. However, it's not that difficult. Cutting Edwards would result in only $1.5 million in dead cap and $5.5 million in space for the Bears. As for Edmunds, they would gain $4.36 million in space by cutting him. On the other hand, that would jump to $12.56 million if they found a trade partner. Flipping him to another team for a minor draft pick easily opens the door for Bolton.
Is this move guaranteed? Of course not. Still, Ryan Poles is known for trying to accommodate what his coaches want. If Allen isn't sold on the Bears' current linebacker setup, the GM will go after the best solution possible. Bolton is unquestionably that. He'd be a great fit for the scheme and the locker room. It is something to watch over the next few weeks.
