Tag: bears defensive line

30 Most Important Bears of 2023: No. 9 Justin Jones

At No. 9 on our Most Important Bears series is Justin Jones, the clear leader in an overhauled interior defensive line group.

The Chicago Bears are gearing up for the 2023 NFL season, which features plenty of new and returning faces within the organization. There are a number of players, coaches and front office members that are crucial to the team’s success this season.

Every day from now until the start of training camp, we’re counting down our 30 Most Important Bears for the 2023 season. We’ll recap their 2022 season, look ahead to 2023 and tackle the biggest question facing them this year.

At No. 9 is defensive tackle Justin Jones, who will still be counted on as a leader of the defense despite having added competition.

Grading the Bears’ signing of DE Rasheem Green

The Bears made another low-risk move on the defensive line by signing DE Rasheem Green. Here is our initial grade of the deal.

The Chicago Bears took another stab at fortifying their defensive line on Thursday, signing former Houston Texans defensive end Rasheem Green to a one-year contract. Green is entering his sixth season as a pro, initially getting selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft.

Over the course of four seasons, Green was effective as a role player for the Seahawks. He notched at least four sacks in two of those years, having his best season in 2021 when he recorded 48 total tackles (six for a loss) with 6.5 sacks in his lone season as a full-time starter.

Green spent the 2022 season with the Texans where he was a rotational player. He totaled 42 tackles (five for a loss) along with 3.5 sacks in 16 games. Now he comes to the Bears in a similar capacity to help improve what was an abysmal pass rush in 2022. Here is our initial grade of the signing.

Bears DE Roy Robertson-Harris questionable to return with shoulder injury

It’s been a brutal injury day for the Bears, and they lost a key member of their DL as Roy Robertson-Harris suffers a shoulder injury.

It’s been a brutal week in regards to injuries for the Chicago Bears, who have seen some key starters get banged up. After losing right tackle Bobby Massie to a knee injury in the first quarter (who’s questionable to return), the Bears lost a key member of their defensive line.

Defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris suffered a shoulder injury in the second quarter of Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Saints. The Bears said he’s questionable to return.

Chicago has found some key depth on the defensive line in Brent Urban and Mario Edwards Jr., who have been impressive this season. We’ll see if Robertson-Harris is good to go for the second half or if it’ll be Urban and Edwards the rest of the way.

The Bears lead the Saints 13-10 at halftime.

3 candidates to replace Bears NT Eddie Goldman in 2020

Let’s take a look at three players that could replace Eddie Goldman at nose tackle this season, both on the roster and in free agency.

The Chicago Bears suffered their first big blow of the year with nose tackle Eddie Goldman choosing to opt out of the 2020 season due to health and safety concerns surrounding COVID-19.

The loss of Goldman is a huge one for the Bears defense, as he known for doing a lot of the dirty work in the trenches that often goes unnoticed. Goldman was an integral part of Chicago’s success in stopping opposing running backs. Now, the Bears have big shoes to fill heading into the 2020 season.

Let’s take a look at three players — currently on the roster or current free agents — that could replace Goldman in 2020.

1. Damon Harrison

AP Photo/David Banks

If the Bears decide to explore free agency for Goldman’s replacement, there’s no better nose tackle on the market than Damon Harrison. Harrison has played in several defensive schemes, but he continues to prove why he’s one of the best run-stuffing nose tackles in the league. According to Pro Football Focus, Harrison has led all defensive tackles in run-stop percentage in each of the last four seasons.

Chicago currently has around $16 million in salary cap space — factoring in Goldman’s salary cap credit — according to OverTheCap. The Bears could surely bring Harrison in one a reasonable one-year deal in Goldman’s absence, should they choose to look elsewhere for Goldman’s replacement.

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Bears 2020 training camp preview: Defensive line

Let’s take a look at the Bears’ defensive line heading into training camp.

The Chicago Bears are ten days away from reporting to training camp on July 28 and the defensive line is eager to get back on the field. Last year, a couple of injuries plagued the defensive line, especially with Akiem Hicks, but if the Bears can stay healthy in 2020, they have one of the best units in the NFL.

The Bears saw two players leave in free agency that played a productive role. Aaron Lynch returns to his home state to play with the Jacksonville Jaguars on a one-year, $1.1 million deal after playing in 16 games and totaling two sacks. Nick Williams signs with divisional rival Detroit Lions for two years, $10 million after a breakout year with six sacks, nine quarterback hits, five tackle for loss, and 42 total tackles.

Let’s take a look at the defensive line heading into training camp.

Akiem Hicks

Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports

Playing in five games last season due to injury, Hicks is hungry to get back on the field. Ever since Hicks joined the Bears in 2016, he has played at an elite level where he has recorded more than seven sacks in each season besides 2019, five force fumbles, four fumble recoveries, seven pass deflections and 173 combined tackles.

The 2018 Pro Bowler is accompanied by Khalil Mack and newly signed Robert Quinn, which can help Hicks get his normal production and more. The 30-year old will be a key piece on the defense in 2020 after missing 11 games last season.

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Bears held pre-draft meetings with D-linemen Marlon Davidson, Darrion Daniels

The Bears are doing their homework on some young defensive linemen in this year’s draft class.

If there’s an area of strength on the Chicago Bears, it the defensive front-seven. Specifically, the defensive line. Even after losing defensive tackle Nick Williams to free agency, defensive line remains the Bears’ deepest group.

Still, it’s smart to do your homework on the young defensive linemen in this year’s draft class, especially when they present with the ability to serve as an edge rusher. Which is exactly what the Bears are doing ahead of the NFL Draft later this month.

The Bears have held pre-draft meetings with Auburn defensive lineman/pass rusher Marlon Davidson prior to the coronavirus outbreak and Nebraska defensive lineman Darrion Daniels over FaceTime, according to Draft Wire’s Justin Melo.

Davidson, a four-year starter at Auburn, has versatility as an interior defensive lineman and coming off the edge. While the Bears recently signed Robert Quinn to replace Leonard Floyd opposite Khalil Mack on the edge, bringing in a young prospect that has versatility in the front-seven wouldn’t hurt.

But Davidson projects to be a Day 2 pick, and considering Chicago has bigger concerns to address with their two second-round picks, he might not be in the cards for the Bears.

Daniels, on the other hand, wouldn’t be brought in as a pass rusher. He’s a candidate for nose tackle, but some worry he lacks the instincts and traits needed to be a rotational defensive tackle. Although, Daniels projects to be a Day 3 prospect, which could be interesting for the Bears that have five Day 3 selections.

The Bears have seven draft picks this year — including a pair of second rounders, one pick in the fifth round, as well as two selections both in the sixth and seventh rounds.

While the Bears certainly have bigger needs than defensive line at this point — especially on offense and even on defense in the secondary — it doesn’t hurt to do your research.

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Report: Bears re-signing DE Brent Urban on 1-year deal

The Bears continue to address depth on the defensive side of the ball, this time bringing back DE Brent Urban.

The Chicago Bears continue to address depth on the defensive side of the ball, this time bringing back defensive end Brent Urban.

Urban is re-signing with the Bears on a one-year deal, per a very reliable source: His wife.

Urban, a former fourth-round pick with the Baltimore Ravens, began last season with the Tennessee Titans. But he signed with the Bears back in October as their defensive line was riddled with injuries.

He played in nine games for the Bears last season, where he made 16 tackles.

With the departure of defensive lineman Nick Williams to the Detroit Lions, Urban will provide some depth at arguably Chicago’s best position. He’ll stick with a defensive line that includes Akiem Hicks, Eddie Goldman, Bilal Nichols and Roy Robertson-Harris.

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