CHICAGO (670 The Score) — What was once a question mark for the Bears has been a key part of their defense's success early this season.
The Bears have had a strong pass rush in their first four games, registering 10 sacks on the season from six different contributors. The defense has generated pressures on 29% of dropbacks by opposing quarterbacks, a mark that ranks fifth in the NFL.
Bears second-year defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. leads the team with three sacks, a mark that has already topped the 2.5 sacks he had as a rookie last season.
“We can rush as a unit,” Dexter said. “We can rush as one. We love each other. That’s starting to show on tape. Just covering each other, making each other right and rushing as one.”
Throughout the offseason, there were questions about whom the Bears would rely on opposite of Pro Bowl defensive end Montez Sweat. As it turns out, Chicago has a steady rotation of players who have caused disruption.
Veteran DeMarcus Walker has been a key contributor. He has played on 84.4% of the team’s defensive snaps, often moving between the end and interior. Darrell Taylor, whom Chicago acquired from Seattle in a trade in August, has played 44% of the defensive snaps and registered two sacks, both coming in the season opener.
Sweat has recorded sacks in consecutive games, including a strip-sack in the Bears' 24-18 win over the Rams on Sunday. Safety Jaquan Brisker, linebacker Tremaine Edmunds and linebacker Jack Sanborn have each sacked the quarterback as well.
The Bears' pass rush also stepped up with the game on the line Sunday. With about one minute remaining and the Bears leading by six points, Taylor broke free to put pressure on Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford – the NFL’s active leader in fourth-quarter comebacks – and hurried him into a poor decision.
Brisker was the beneficiary of Taylor’s pressure, hauling in the game-sealing interception.
The Bears are tied for third in the NFL with eight takeaways, trailing only the rival Packers (12) and Vikings (10) in that category. A key part of that success defensively has been the pass rush and coverage working in concert.
“We know we have a very special group, and I think we show that,” said Pro Bowl cornerback Jaylon Johnson, who has two interceptions this season.
“The pass rush hits them, and we make plays off it. So, overall, we got guys, we got talent.”
The Bears (2-2) will host the Panthers (1-3) on Sunday at Soldier Field.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.