The Bears made two important acquisitions as a part of a vital overhaul of their defensive position when free company opened Monday. However don’t assume the offers they made with defensive deal with Grady Jarrett and defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo are the top of that challenge.
Jarrett, a two-time Professional Bowl choice in his decade with the Falcons, was launched Monday morning and agreed to a three-year, $43.5 million deal with the Bears in the afternoon, a supply mentioned. Odeyingbo, who spent his first 4 seasons with the Colts, agreed to signal for $48 million over three years, a supply mentioned.
Jarrett can signal any time for the reason that Falcons reduce him, and Odeyingbo can finalize his contract when the brand new league 12 months begins Wednesday.
With the Bears additionally taking over large contracts in trades for offensive guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, in addition to agreeing to a three-year, $42 million cope with former Falcons middle Drew Dalman, they aren’t anticipated to make any extra main signings.
Jarrett and Odeyingbo slot in as presumptive starters, for now. Odeyingbo would work reverse go rusher Montez Sweat, whereas Jarrett seemingly would play subsequent to Gervon Dexter, shifting Andrew Billings to a backup function.
However the big-picture impact of getting Jarrett and Odeyingbo is that it theoretically provides the Bears a viable beginning lineup heading into the draft.
If common supervisor Ryan Poles can dwell with these 4 as his beginning defensive linemen and Braxton Jones as his beginning left deal with, he received’t essentially be cornered into drafting for instant want with the No. 10 total decide.
As an alternative, he may draft the most effective expertise — inside some limitations of what the Bears want most. At No. 10, he may land a top-tier offensive deal with, defensive finish or defensive deal with.
Defensive finish has been a problematic place for the Bears since Poles traded future Corridor of Famer Khalil Mack in his first month on the job. During the last three seasons, the Bears had an NFL-low 90 sacks, and final season Sweat led the group with simply 5½.
The Bears reduce defensive finish DeMarcus Walker final month after seven sacks in two seasons. Odeyingbo, 25, is 5 years youthful than Walker, however the Bears are projecting his manufacturing after a modest 16½ sacks in 4 seasons with the Colts.
At $16 million per season, Odeyingbo’s common pay ranks twenty first within the NFL amongst go rushers. That wouldn’t preclude the Bears from drafting one.
The Colts drafted Odeyingbo within the second spherical out of Vanderbilt in 2021, when Matt Eberflus was their defensive coordinator. He was principally a reserve his first three seasons earlier than taking a beginning job final season.
Jarrett, who turns 32 subsequent month, arrives as one of the revered defenders within the NFL. The Falcons drafted him within the fifth spherical out of Clemson in 2015, and he was a full-time starter by his second season.
In 10 seasons, he performed 152 of a attainable 164 video games, together with each sport final season, and performed 5 playoff video games. Jarrett began for the Falcons in opposition to the Patriots in Tremendous Bowl LI, going immediately in opposition to Thuney.
Between Jarrett’s age and the Bears nonetheless ready for Dexter to develop, drafting a defensive deal with at No. 10 would nonetheless be in play.
And if Poles is snug with the whole beginning defensive position, however not so offered on Jones, he can draft a deal with at that spot. The Bears may draft a left deal with, or transfer Darnell Wright from proper to left and play the rookie at proper deal with, making Jones the swing deal with.
It’s a win-win, regardless. If the Bears proceed as at present constructed, the roster isn’t good, however it’s an improve from final season. In the event that they draft somebody proficient sufficient to supplant anyone within the beginning lineup, even higher.
