NEWSLETTER
Every so often, I find myself digging through the list of remaining free agents trying to find a Bears fit. We’re long past the point of free agency where splash moves are on the agenda. Instead, this is the time of year teams tend to round out their rosters by picking at the fringes of free agency.
That said, the fringes look more alluring than they have in recent years. I can’t put my finger on why this is the case, but it looks like there are a bunch of free agents who could be useful to any number of teams, including the Chicago Bears; particularly on the defensive line.
In an exercise in predicting landing spots for remaining free agents, Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox envisions a Leonard Floyd-Bears reunion. If that last sentence catches you off guard, just know you’re not alone. I felt similarly when I read (and re-read) it. However, I think Knox is onto something.
Here’s how Knox sees it:
It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Chicago Bears seek a reunion.
Chicago selected Floyd with the ninth overall pick in the 2016 draft. While the Georgia product didn’t quite live up to his draft status with the Bears (18.5 sacks in four seasons), he exploded after joining Los Angeles. Over the past three seasons, he has amassed 29 sacks.
Of course, playing next to Aaron Donald has certainly helped Floyd, and he might not be as prolific back in Chicago. However, he’s now a veteran leader with a Super Bowl ring who could help guide the young and rebuilding Bears.
A comeback tour featuring Floyd, 30, could be fun. The Bears could use some veteran leadership. But more than that, Chicago could really use a starting-caliber DE who could stabilize the trenches. No, Floyd has never truly lived up to being a top-10 pick. But he has been a strong defender who does a lot of the little things well. That stuff adds up over time. And even though Knox predicts a three-year deal for Floyd, so many of these NFL deals are structured as one-year deals. In other words, maybe there is something here — particularly for a team that has cap space to spend and needs to fill.
But if Floyd isn’t your cup of tea, that’s OK, too. Floyd doesn’t perfectly fit that ideal age range of free agents the Bears have been targeting during the Poles era. Plus, there is a real chance Floyd might not be into a reunion on his end. A player entering his 30s might be more intent to wait out an offer from a bonafide contender. With all due respect, that might be more enticing than jumping at a contract from a 3-win Bears team. And he might just not want to come back to Chicago after how things came to an end. Yes, I understand it was a different regime and things are different. But sometimes, doors close for a reason and it is okay if they stay closed. With that being said, Floyd isn’t the only available defensive lineman who piques my interest.
For instance, Brad Spielberger (PFF) suggests Chicago as the “most impactful landing spot” for free-agent edge defender Yannick Ngakoue. The 28-year-old defensive end put up 9.5 sacks, 16 quarterback hits, and 8 tackles-for-loss. In fact, 2022 marked the seventh consecutive season for Ngakoue notching at least 8 sacks and 11 QB Hits. It is almost as if you can plug in at least 8+ sacks, 10+ tackles-for-loss, and 11+ quarterback hits upon signing Ngakoue. At least, that is my takeaway after browsing through his Pro-Football-Reference data page. Ngakoue has never made a Pro Bowl. And his production seems to have flown under the radar. But I’m into it if the Bears are looking to raise the floor of their defense.
At a minimum, the Bears should be looking at free agents to help round out their roster. Floyd, Ngakoue, Jadeveon Clowney, and Melvin Ingram III are among the DEs who can quickly jump into a starting role. But let’s not forget about interior defensive linemen. Someone like defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis could be helpful in bolstering the trenches at a different position. In the end, we need to remember the offseason is far from over. And until the Bears open training camp, the roster tinkering will continue.
