Fansided
Fansided

Chicago Bears In No Position To Throw Away Pass Rushers

By Erik Lambert

Dec 13, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) is sacked by Chicago Bears outside linebacker Willie Young (97) linebacker Lamarr Houston (99) and nose tackle Eddie Goldman (91) during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) is sacked by Chicago Bears outside linebacker Willie Young (97) linebacker Lamarr Houston (99) and nose tackle Eddie Goldman (91) during the first half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

It’s becoming difficult to find the logic behind this idea that the Chicago Bears are suddenly eager to ship out guys like Lamarr Houston and Willie Young.  Why?  The common reasoning is neither are great fits at outside linebacker in a classic 3-4 defense.  Not like a Von Miller or Justin Houston.  They are converted defensive ends.

Yet facts are facts.  Houston led the team with eight sacks in 2015 while Young collected 6.5.  This despite neither of them beginning the season as part of the regular rotation.  Outside of Pernell McPhee they are the only credible pass rushers currently on the Bears roster, and here’s the hard news people don’t seem to get.

The 2016 free agent and draft classes are weak in proven options.  None of the top younger possibilities set to hit the market like Malik Jackson, Olivier Vernon or Bruce Irvin have ever posted 10 sacks or more in a season.  Jason Pierre-Paul did but that was before he maimed his hand in a fireworks accident.  Mario Williams is in his 30s and hates playing in a 3-4.  After that there’s really nobody of note.

The draft?  Not much better.  Joey Bosa is likely to be gone by the time the Bears pick at #11.  Noah Spence was productive in college, but had a history of drug issues and lacks both length and lower body explosion.  Shaq Lawson and Kevin Dodd had great years at Clemson but are still raw and have the look of defensive ends more than linebackers.

With such a small pool of players who can turn out good for a team, the competition to get them will be all the more fierce.  This decreases the Bears’ chances of getting them, and even then there aren’t guarantees.  So the question must be asked again.  Why would they be so eager to cut loose two players who, while not ideal fits, were productive, aren’t too old and are on affordable contracts for at least one more year?

It doesn’t make any sense.  There is no harm in adding another pass rusher or two if possible, but the Bears would be wise not to start cutting decent ones they already have loose.

Home/NFL Hot Takes