There are a lot of new faces on the team that finished with the worst record in the NFL in 2022. The Chicago Bears still have some work to do.
Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields has been a popular subject this offseason. The player who ran for the second-most yards by a quarterback in a single season is hoping to take another step forward.
What about the other side of the ball? Former Colts' defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus' debut season as the Bears' head coach was rocky to say the least. The team finished 3-14 and enter 2023 with a 10-game losing streak. Chicago allowed the most points per games and totaled an NFL-low 20 sacks. Speaking of which…
Earlier this offseason, Frank Clark latched on with the Broncos after being cut loose by the Chiefs. Leonard Floyd was a salary-cap casualty with the Rams but inked a deal with the Buffalo Bills. However, there are still three names out there that general manager Ryan Poles could consider.
No. 3 edge rusher Bears could still add: Carlos Dunlap
Originally a second-round pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2010, Carlos Dunlap eventually became a two-time Pro Bowler for that organization. In 10-plus seasons with the club, he totaled 82.5 sacks. He was dealt to Seattle and wound up playing 25 regular-season games and amassing 13.5 QB traps for Pete Carroll's club.
Dunlap spent 2022 with the Chiefs and played in every game. He finished with four sacks during the regular season and wound up earning a Super Bowl ring with Andy Reid's team. The 13-year veteran has a career resume with 100.0 sacks and 22 forced fumbles.
No. 2 edge rusher Bears could still add: Yannick Ngakoue
Back in early June during an interview on SiriusXM NFL Radio, free-agent defensive end Yannick Ngakoue made his intentions know for 2023. "I definitely want to play for a contender, play for a team and an organization that wants to win a Super Bowl. That's one of the things on my agenda, to be able to help and contribute to that. Hopefully I can get some great interest from a contender."
Talk about running a reverse?
"Any team in the NFL is an ideal landing spot for me," explained the seven-year pro recently on the Jim Rome Show (via Gene Chamberlain of Bear Digest). "It's a blessing to be able to work any job in the NFL. Being able to go and practice with a team, go through walk-throughs, go through film study, it's a blessing. It doesn't matter what organization in particular."
Ngakoue always seems to be on the move. A year ago, he led Indianapolis with 9.5 after being dealt to the Colts from the Raiders. He's played for five different teams in seven seasons and totaled a combined 65.0 sacks with the Jaguars, Vikings, Ravens, Raiders and Colts. Add in 21 forced fumbles and five takeaways, two returned for touchdowns.
No. 1 edge rusher Bears could still add: Justin Houston
It hasn't mattered the team or the defensive scheme. He has excelled in the 3-4 as an outside linebacker and in the 4-3 at defensive end. While his days of personal accolades are somewhat in the rearview mirror, any defense would benefit from his presence.
All told, 12-year NFL veteran Justin Houston has put up solid numbers for three different franchises. The third-round pick from the University of Georgia in 2011 by the Chiefs enjoyed a stellar career in Kansas City. In eight seasons with the organization, he finished with 78.5 sacks, 14 forced fumbles, four interceptions and eight fumble recoveries. He was named to four straight Pro Bowls from 2012-15 and earned All-Pro honors in 2014.
Houston was released by the Chiefs but found at home in Indianapolis thanks to one-time Chiefs' executive Chris Ballard. The standout defender was asked to play end in Matt Eberflus' 4-3 defense. He started every game in his two seasons with the club and finished with 19.0 sacks, three forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries.
It was back to outside linebacker for Houston during his two years with the Ravens. There were 14.0 quarterback traps in 29 regular-season outings, as well as a sack of Joe Burrow in last season's wild card loss at Cincinnati.
Ah, that Matt Eberflus' connection…