Chicago Bears: 5 Free agent pass rushers still available
By David Mamola
There are still serviceable free agent pass rushers that the Chicago Bears could sign before the 2018 season.
The Chicago Bears added pass rushers Aaron Lynch and Kylie Fitts this offseason, but the talent level is still a bit underwhelming.
Although the main wave of free agency has been over for two months, there are still serviceable players available that the Bears could sign to one-year, “prove-it” deals.
Here are five names to keep an eye on:
Johnathan Hankins, DT
Hankins may not be a prolific pass rusher, but his presence on the defensive line (likely at the five-technique) would make things easier on the outside for Leonard Floyd and company. The 6-2, 325-pound defensive lineman was released by the Indianapolis Colts this offseason as a cost-cutting moving. Hankins has only five sacks in the past two seasons, but he did have seven in 2014 as a member of the New York Giants.
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Tamba Hali, OLB
Hali, the longtime Kansas City Chiefs linebacker, was once one of the most prolific pass rushers in the NFL. His skills have diminished (34 years old, chronic knee injury), but Hali could still be used as a situational pass rusher. Having a veteran presence at the outside linebacker position couldn’t hurt, either.
Robert Ayers, DE/OLB
The former first-round pick by the Denver Broncos has carved-out a nice NFL career. Now 32 years old, Ayers has accumulated 8.5 sacks combined in the past two seasons and had nine in 2015. Ayers is solid against the run and would serve as a nice complementary piece to the defense. While Hali might be a better fit schematically, Ayers probably has more left in the tank.
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Willie Young and Lamarr Houston, OLB
Bringing back one of these former Bears just makes too much sense. They each know Vic Fangio’s defense and have proven to be serviceable players. Houston is younger than Young and at this point, might be the better fit. Regardless, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Bears brought back one of these familiar faces by training camp.