(670 The Score) After Bears general manager Ryan Poles went to work on the first day of NFL free agency Monday, coach Matt Eberflus now has a better chance to build type of defense he envisions.
The Bears agreed to terms with two-time Pro Bowl linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, linebacker T.J. Edwards and pass rusher DeMarcus Walker on Monday as the NFL’s negotiation window opened. Their contracts are expected to become official Wednesday afternoon, when the new league year begins.
In adding Edmunds and Edwards, the Bears have created a dynamic linebacker group – which also includes Jack Sanborn, who projects to fill the strong-side role. The team's linebacker corps had been a weakness after the Bears traded star Roquan Smith to the Ravens in late October.
“That (linebacker) room is going to be special, for sure,” Edwards said on the Parkins & Spiegel Show on Monday afternoon.
While the Bears were busy Monday – they also reached a three-year deal with veteran guard Nate Davis – Poles is just beginning to bolster a roster that he tore down. He understands he must give Eberflus and his coaching staff better talent if the Bears are to contend in any meaningful way in 2023, and there are still key needs that Chicago hasn't yet addressed.
The Bears still need a solution at the three-technique defensive tackle position, which Eberflus has said is “the engine that makes everything go” for his scheme. The Bears were involved in the bidding for star defensive lineman Javon Hargrave, a source said, but didn't meet a market that landed him a four-year, $84-million deal with the 49ers. Fellow standout defensive linemen Dre’Mont Jones (Seahawks) and Zach Allen (Broncos) each landed lucrative deals elsewhere.
Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson remains unsigned and available on the open market, though the Bears might prefer to spread the money that he would command across multiple holes on their depth chart.
The Bears were also interested in offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor but weren’t comfortable paying the $20 million annually that he landed in a four-year deal with the Chiefs, a source said. That came after the Broncos outbid the Bears for offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey, who agreed to a five-year, $87.5-million deal with Denver. Those were examples of Poles recognizing the Bears’ other roster needs and living by his word to avoid contractual risk "that doesn’t allow us to have this flexibility in years to come."
Even after reaching a deal with Walker on Monday, the Bears could benefit by adding to their edge rush after Chicago ranked last in the NFL with just 20 sacks in 2022. This isn't a star-studded veteran class of pass rushers, but the Bears could find solid improvement with every serviceable addition.
The Bears have interest in signing 27-year-old pass rusher Samson Ekuban, a source said. He posted five sacks and a career-best 11.8% pressure rate in 2022 as a starter for the 49ers’ defense. Arden Key, Yannick Ngakoue and Charles Omenihu could also be pass rushers who are in play for the Bears.
Ahead of navigating the often treacherous waters of free agency, Poles stressed the Bears would be selective in whom they covet. He’s seeking players who are just entering their prime as they hit the open market and who can be potential building blocks for Chicago’s future.
The Bears are in position to improve based off their offseason moves to this point, but there's plenty of work still to be done.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
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