The Bears’ depth along the sting (apart from Montez Sweat) is a matter mark entering training camp. Loads of time stays for a veteran addition to be made, but in the intervening time Chicago just isn’t actively searching for one out.
“We feel really comfortable with the fellows that we’ve got on our roster now,” general manager Ryan Poles said of the defensive end position during a Friday press conference (via The Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain). “We’ll all the time have our eyes on the list of players we will potentially usher in.”
With $12.2MM in cap space, the Bears can actually afford a modest investment along the sting, something which has been mentioned as a possibility throughout the offseason. Chicago added Yannick Ngakoue late in the summertime last yr, and he served as a starter when healthy. The journeyman sack artist logged a 72% defensive snap share before a broken ankle shut him down for the season.
Ngakoue has returned to full health since then, but he has yet to be linked to any suitors. Provided that, along the the Bears’ lack of other moves on the position, a return to the Windy City could possibly be within the cards. The 29-year-old inked a $10.5MM deal in 2023, but his injury and career-low 4 sacks last season will little doubt force him to take a less lucrative pact this yr.
Other than Sweat, the Bears’ veteran options on the defensive end spot include the likes of Jacob Martin, Khalid Kareem and Dominique Robinson. Chicago also chosen Austin Booker within the fifth round of the draft, and he could fill a rotational role as a rookie. Training camp will little doubt be a key determinant in whether of not Poles decides that group is sufficient or an addition is required.
