Chicago Bears: 3 Players to re-sign in 2019 offseason

2. Aaron Lynch, Defensive End

The defense is elite, and they have one of the best front rotations in football. Lynch was a major part of that last season. He’s not necessarily an elite pass rusher, but he helps them tremendously in their ability to defend the run. The team was No. 1 against the run last season, and he ranked sixth among edge defenders at stopping the run, according to Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Big guys that stop the run but can’t rush the passer have lost their luster in free agency, which has lowered their average price tag.

The team has plenty of pass rushing talent in players like All-Pro Khalil Mack and former first-round draft pick Leonard Floyd to go with players like Akiem Hicks and others, but Lynch is their best pure run defender on the front. When a team is as good as the Bears, you run everything back and bank on their development. The re-signing of Lynch falls right in with that line of thinking.

Lynch’s contract paid him just $4 million in 2018, and he could be brought back at a very similar number, such as two years, $10 million. Defensive end is one of the deeper position this free agency period, so it wouldn’t be surprising for the Bears to be able to bring Lynch back. If he asks for too much money, they shouldn’t be afraid to let him walk, but he should be high on their list of players to bring back.

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