Bears’ pass rushers Willie Young and Jared Allen celebrate a sack by Young. Are both players moveable after the Bears sign Pernell McPhee? Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
2. Finish a Top Team in Sacks
The Bears improved plenty in this region last season, going from a last-place tie with 31 sacks in 2013 to finishing tied for 16th with 39 sacks in 2014.
The role of the pass rusher is significant in the new scheme, and general manager Ryan Pace addressed the issue in the offseason, signing linebackers Pernell McPhee, Sam Acho and Mason Foster. The acquisitions add to linebackers unit that already has Jared Allen (transitioning to the OLB role), and Lamarr Houston.
Other than Acho, there aren’t really any outside backers that have experience as a true pass rusher from the linebacker position, so the transition to the new system could be slow at the start.
However, Allen and McPhee have shown they can get to the quarterback consistently, so perhaps getting used to the new position, in Allen’s case, won’t be so hard.
Let’s not forget about last year’s team sack leader Willie Young on the end. With 10 sacks in 2014, Young needs to be able to repeat this season.
If the front seven can play their parts in the 3-4, in combination with the current personnel, it’s realistic for Chicago to finish in the top-10 in sacks (est. 42-45 sacks)–which should be a goal for this unit.
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