Chicago Bears Free Agency 2023: 3 Defensive tackles to target

Javon Hargrave, Philadelphia Eagles

Many people expect the Chicago Bears to build their team similar to the way the NFC Champion Philadelphia Eagles did theirs. What better way to do that than to pick up one of their star defenders?

The Eagles are another team in salary cap hell that could cause them to lose Javon Hargrave. They are still over $3 million over the cap.

Philadelphia’s potential loss could be the Bears’ gain. Chicago could step in and get themselves an elite player in the middle of their defensive line.

Picking up an elite defender comes with an elite price tag, however. Hargrave will command $20 million per season. It could be well worth it, though. In the last two seasons, he registered 123 tackles (19 tackles for loss), 18.5 sacks, and 34 quarterback hits.

Adding Hargrave improves the line by leaps and bounds. He is a great run-stuffer and gets to the quarterback. With him there, the defensive ends have an easier time. Not only that, he helps the secondary. With the added quarterback pressures, the secondary doesn’t have to try to keep up with receivers for too long of a time. Additionally, the pressure will cause quarterbacks to make mistakes. With the improved secondary, those mistakes will lead to turnovers.

Poles could sign Hargrave to fewer years and still draft another tackle. That way, the Bears have an elite-level starter and a dependable, developing backup. Once Hargrave is ready to leave, Chicago could have another elite starter.

If Poles wants to make a splash and show how serious he is about turning things around, signing Hargrave would be the move.