Bears Add Backup Defensive Lineman

The Bears didn't get shut out on the defensive line on Day 1 of the NFL free agent negotiating period after all.

On Monday night they signed Tennessee Titans backup defensive lineman DeMarcus Walker, a 6-foot-4, 280-pound end who turns 29 in September.

The Bears had apparently been unwilling to match the three-year, $51.53 million deal Denver free agent defensive lineman Dre'Mont Jones got Monday night from Seattle.

Jones has 2 1/2 sacks more than Walker for his career, which has been two years shorter.

Walker will be playing with his fourth team in four seasons and NFL Network's Mike Garofolo reported $7 a year while ESPN's Courtney Cronin put it at $21 million for three years, $16 million guaranteed.

It's a 3-year deal worth $21 million with $16 fully guaranteed for DeMarcus Walker, per source. The Bears finish the day by bringing an edge rusher into the mix. An absolute necessity on defense.
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) March 14, 2023

The seven sacks Walker had last year broke his previous high by 2 1/2 sacks and he also had a career-high 16 quarterback hits.

Walker was not a starter. He rotated onto the field and last year's six starts was the most he has ever had. He played 426 snaps, or about 37% of plays.

Walker played four years in Denver and had five starts with 36 games played, then two starts in 2021 with Houston in 13 games played. Last year he got into every game.

I don’t know how Seattle out bids us like how. Like how is this a thing
— Raul Bennington (@black_42) March 14, 2023

The Broncos selected him 51st in Round 2 of the 2017 NFL Draft.

The signing, and the Vikings' agreement to terms for one year and $13 million with Saints defensive lineman Marcus Davenport, leaves a group of defensive linemen long of tooth or short on accomplishment for Day 2.

Here's a Day 2 shopping list available for the Bears in free agency.

Some Bears fans are more worried about getting a shiny new toy than they are about putting together an actual roster. There still is a salary cap. You can’t waste it all in 1 or 2 spots especially when the players aren’t elite. Calm down.
— Brian (@TeamStradley) March 13, 2023

Offensive Tackle

Orlando Brown Jr., Kansas City

Kaleb McGary, Atlanta

Isaiah Wynn, New England

Taylor Lewan, Tennessee

Al-Quadin Muhammad vs DeMarcus Walker pic.twitter.com/ka7A7AlgE3
— (Drew) LukasReichelSZN (@CHITOWNDREW23) March 14, 2023

Running Back

Miles Sanders, Philadelphia

David Montgomery, BEARS

Devin Singletary, Buffalo

Jamaal Williams, Detroit

Kareem Hunt, Cleveland

Defensive End

Frank Clark, Kansas City

Yannick Ngokoue, Indianapolis

Arden Key, Jacksonville

Jadeveon Clowney, Cleveland

Samson Ebukam, San Fracisco

Defensive Tackle

Sheldon Rankins, N.Y. Jets

Fletcher Cox, Philadelphia

Poona Ford, Seattle

Greg Gaines, L.A. Rams

Cornerback

James Bradberry, Philadelphia

Marcus Peters, Baltimore

Shaquill Griffin, Jacksonville

Anthony Brown, Dallas

Rock Ya-Sin, Las Vegas

Running Backs

Miles Sanders, Philadelphia

David Montgomery, BEARS

Devin Singletary, Buffalo

Jamaal Williams, Detroit

Kareem Hunt, Cleveland

Rashaad Penny, Seattle

I appreciate the long-view perspective from Poles. This is a multi-year rebuild. Play to the strengths of the available acquisition periods.
— dan durkin (@djdurkin) March 13, 2023

Tremaine Edmunds is my kind of ball player. I’ve watched this clip about 60 times! Love it! Welcome to Chicago, @maine_savage23!#Bears pic.twitter.com/JTrbfL7Sc1
— Jarrett Payton (@paytonsun) March 13, 2023

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