Bear Digest

Bears urged to sign veteran edge rusher to fix draft negligence

Bears GM Ryan Poles drafted only one pass rusher in Shemar Turner and some draft analysts called this a mistake, one they may even need to fix in free agency.
Gene Chamberlain|
Texas A&M defensive lineman Shemar Turner isn't enough for the Bears pass rush according to some analysts.
Texas A&M defensive lineman Shemar Turner isn't enough for the Bears pass rush according to some analysts. | Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

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Chicago Bears

Even with the Bears' lack of running back help in the draft until Round 7 drawing criticism from all manner of draft analysts, their failure in another area hasn't escaped notice.

Both Eric Edholm from NFL.com and the staff at Pro Football Network have singled out the Bears' need for help at edge rusher as an obvious are they neglected.

PFN did so in an article suggesting the one unsigned free agent who can help the Bears the most isn't a ball carrier but pass rusher Za'Darius Smith. PFN found the humor in this situation because it would mean Smith has played for every single NFC North team if he signed with the Bears.

"Za’Darius Smith has played for every NFC North team except the Chicago Bears," PFN wrote. 

Clay Harbor for Chicago Sports Network also suggested Smith, while also pointing out Matthew Judon is still available and was sought last summer in a trade by Poles. The Bears did make a defensive line addition in Shemar Turner and he could play on the edge or at defensive tackle, just like Dayo Odeyingbo can move inside in pass rush situations and Gervon Dexter could move outside.

"The Bears have a solid starting group on the defensive line, thanks to free agent additions Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo and second-rounder Shemar Turner," PFN wrote. "However, the depth is a little thin, particularly on the edge behind Odeyingbo and Montez Sweat.

"Adding Smith could not only control the snap counts of the starters but also allow defensive coordinator Dennis Allen to get creative with his pass rush packages."

In his power rankings after the draft, NFL.com's Erik Edholm put the Bears down at 16th and also pointed to the defensive line as an area needing help.

"The defensive line also received some potentially nice help in Shemar Turner, even if there was disappointment in not getting another pass rusher," he wrote.

The Bears did sign undrafted free agent edge rusher Xavier Carlton, a 6-foot-6, 275-pounder from Carlifornia who had 19 career sacks.

As for making Smith 4-for-4 in the NFC North, it doesn't appear likely.

The Bears have spent down to $4 million under the cap, according to Overthecap.com. This figure didn't include the bonus money on rookie contracts. So they're not likely to be going on any spending sprees with the cap by chasing a defensive end who was on a two-year, $23 million contract last year.

Even a team relying on a defensive line rotation can only use eight or nine defensive linemen on game day.

The Bears are past their limit, already so any free agent addition would need to come out of the bargain barrel.

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Gene Chamberlain
GENE CHAMBERLAIN

Gene Chamberlain has covered the Chicago Bears full time as a beat writer since 1994 and prior to this on a part-time basis for 10 years. He covered the Bears as a beat writer for Suburban Chicago Newspapers, the Daily Southtown, Copley News Service and has been a contributor for the Daily Herald, the Associated Press, Bear Report, CBS Sports.com and The Sporting News. He also has worked a prep sports writer for Tribune Newspapers and Sun-Times newspapers.