The Bears’ defensive line has been ranked as one of the worst in the NFL by PFF, according to a recent analysis. Despite the team’s overall improvement in their roster, the defensive line seems to be falling behind. PFF placed the Bears at No. 27 out of 32 teams in their rankings of the best defensive line units in the league.
The addition of Montez Sweat was a significant improvement for the Bears’ defensive line. Sweat’s ability to create pressure on the quarterback after being traded to the team had a positive impact on the group. In the eight games prior to Sweat’s arrival, the Bears only managed 10 sacks and six interceptions. However, in the nine games after Sweat joined the team, those numbers nearly doubled and tripled, with 20 sacks and 16 interceptions. This improvement was not solely due to Sweat’s contributions, but also how he opened up opportunities for his teammates.
However, the Bears have lost some pass rush production this offseason, with Justin Jones and Yannick Ngakoue no longer with the team. While GM Ryan Poles has added some rotation-caliber players like Austin Booker, there is a lack of players with a proven track record of producing significant sack numbers.
DeMarcus Walker is expected to start opposite Sweat at defensive end, and there is hope that he can perform even better in the upcoming season. The team will also be relying on younger players like Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens to step up and make an impact on the interior of the pocket. If these players do not perform as expected, the Bears may have to rely more on blitzers to generate pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
In the previous season, Walker recorded 3.5 sacks, Dexter had 2.5, and Pickens contributed 0.5. Newcomer Jacob Martin, who had 2.0 sacks with the Colts, will also be looking to make an impact on the Bears’ defensive line.
Overall, the Bears’ defensive line has room for improvement, and the upcoming season will be crucial for players like Walker, Dexter, and Pickens to step up and make their mark. The team will need a collective effort from all players to elevate their performance and make a significant impact on the field.