The Chicago Bears Defense Could Be In A Dire Position If One Prominent Player Gets Hurt

The Chicago Bears have had a successful offseason due to general manager Ryan Poles' key acquisitions through signings and trades. Poles has revamped the Bears' offense for the expected arrival of quarterback Caleb Williams, who will likely be taken first overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, which is less than two weeks away. Despite the successful offseason, Chicago's general manager has failed to address a glaring hole on defense, which could be significantly exposed if a key defender suffers a serious injury in 2024.

Chicago's Defense Could Be Exposed If Montez Sweat Is Lost To An Injury

Heading into the 2024 season, there will be a high level of excitement and hype for the Bears' defense due to how the unit finished the 2023 season. In 2023, Chicago's defense was a top-ten unit in the NFL and led the league in interceptions with 22, as 16 came after Week 11. Head coach Matt Eberflus was credited for a defensive turnaround as the team had a horrendous start to begin the 2023 season.

One of the main reasons for the impressive turnaround was the acquisition of defensive end Montez Sweat at the trade deadline from the Washington Commanders. Before the trade, Chicago's pass rush was considered one of the worst in the league, especially due to the struggles of the defensive line. Through Week 8, the Bears' defensive linemen had only registered six and a half sacks.

The reason why sacks from the defensive line in Eberflus' Cover-2 defense are so vital is because the scheme relies on pass-rush pressure solely from the front four to allow linebackers to drop back into pass coverage. The main goal of defensive design is to allow linebackers to cover tight ends and running backs, forcing the quarterback to potentially throw an interception against the heavy pass coverage. Once Sweat integrated himself into Chicago's defense, the defensive line began to consistently pressure the quarterback, leading to more and more interceptions.

Heading into the NFL's free agency period last month, many fans and analysts believed Poles would add a prominent free-agent defensive end to pair with Sweat, who recorded six sacks in eight games with the team. Despite multiple pass rushers who recorded double-digit sacks in 2023 being available, including Danielle Hunter, Bryce Huff, and Jonathan Greenard, the Bears failed to sign any proven rusher. Chicago now only four picks in this year's draft, as Poles is in a dangerous position of not adding any significant defensive end to replace Yannick Ngakoue and start opposite of Sweat.

Chicago is at risk of seeing their defensive pass rush drop off significantly if they lose Sweat for any extended period during the 2024 season. There isn't a reliable and consistent threat right now on the defensive line for the Bears that can produce the same way the Pro Bowler did in the last eight games of 2023. Additionally, with an entire offseason to gameplan, opposing teams could have a scheme ready to neutralize Sweat with no credible threat to capitalize on the offensive blocking focus.

Poles Has Limited Options Remaining To Fill The Void

With the draft just two weeks away and a small quantity of quality free-agent defensive ends remaining, Poles is limited in how he can address the talent issue at the pass-rush position. There is a significant chance the Bears utilize their ninth selection or whatever selection they get in a potential trade down, but there are legitimate chances of them drafting one of the top three receiving prospects available. Poles is tasked with the crucial decision of which side of the ball to use a high-level selection on.

One still possible free agent option that would be an ideal fit for Chicago is Ngakoue, who was with the team last year and was their number-one pass rusher before Sweat's arrival. Before 2023, the former Pro Bowl defensive end had recorded seven seasons of eight sacks or more. In the five games after the Bears acquired Sweat, Ngakoue recorded three sacks before suffering a season-ending leg injury in Week 14.

If Poles decides to use the second of his two first-round selections, Chicago should be able to land one of the three top-listed defensive end prospects in Dallas Turner, Jared Verse, or Laiatu Latu. Drafting one of them would address the need and give the Bears' defense a pass rusher that can complement Sweat. Additionally, with the presence of the Pro Bowl defensive end, a potential rookie wouldn't be under so much scrutiny to produce immediately but instead display gradual improvement as the season progresses.

One way or another, the Bears need to find a way to address their defensive end weakness over the next few weeks. Poles will either have to use a high-round selection on a prospect at the position, sign the best available free agent, or jump if another NFL team cuts a proven pass-rusher immediately following the end of the draft. A significant injury to Sweat could lead to Chicago facing the same issues that plagued the defense in the first half of the 2023 season.