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Chicago Bears: What History Says About Adding Elite Pass Rushers

By Erik Lambert

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 01: Jared Allen #69 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates his sack Josh McCown #15 of the Chicago Bears to set a franchise record of 22 sacks for the season at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on January 01, 2012 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher /Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JANUARY 01: Jared Allen #69 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates his sack Josh McCown #15 of the Chicago Bears to set a franchise record of 22 sacks for the season at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on January 01, 2012 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher /Getty Images) /
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The Chicago Bears find themselves in a rare position, having added one of the best pass rushers in the NFL on their defense while still in his prime.

It cost a lot for sure. Not only did they surrender two 1st round draft picks in the next two years to Oakland. They also gave Khalil Mack a record-breaking $141 million extension to his contract, locking him in until 2024. GM Ryan Pace made it clear that the team was swinging for the fences in hope that Chicago could get back to winning football games again.

The big question is whether one man who isn’t a quarterback can have that sort of impact. Sure elite pass rushers are valuable but can they really have an extensive impact on the entire team outlook. To figure that out, I decide to delve into the other rare cases where true top guys like Mack changed teams while still in their primes.

The parameters were simple. They had to switch rosters via either free agency or trade from between the ages of 26 and 32, which is considered the peak years of an NFL edge rusher. Then it was time to measure the tangible impact in two ways: the play of the defense and overall success of the organization through playoff appearances. What I came away with was surprising, and more than a little encouraging for Chicago’s prospects.

Reggie White

  • Signed with Green Bay Packers in 1993
  • Defensive rankings in previous 5 years:  7th, 16th, 22nd, 10th, 23rd (0 playoff appearances)
  • Defensive rankings in 5 years after arrival:  2nd, 6th, 14th, 1st, 7th (5 playoff appearances)

Kevin Greene

  • Signed with Pittsburgh Steelers in 1993
  • Defensive rankings in previous 3 years:  1st, 22nd, 13th (1 playoff appearance)
  • Defensive rankings in 3 years after arrival:  3rd, 2nd, 3rd (3 playoff appearances)

Jared Allen

  • Traded to Minnesota Vikings in 2008
  • Defensive rankings in previous 5 years:  23rd, 28th, 21st, 8th, 20th (1 playoff appearance)
  • Defensive rankings in 5 years after arrival:  6th, 6th, 8th, 21st, 16th (2 playoff appearances)

Julius Peppers

  • Signed with Chicago Bears in 2010
  • Defensive rankings in previous 4 years:  5th, 28th, 21st, 17th (1 playoff appearance)
  • Defensive rankings in 4 years after arrival:  9th, 17th, 5th, 30th (1 playoff appearance)

The results are fairly clear. On average, defenses took a considerable step up in quality and consistency when the elite rusher entered the fold and it sustained for a favorable period of time. Not only that but the organizations encountered upticks in winning, reaching the playoffs more frequently. White helped the Packers win the Super Bowl. Greene helped Pittsburgh reach a Super Bowl. Allen and Peppers both got to NFC championship games.

Of course, the question from Bears fans is whether Mack is at their level. So here’s a comparison. He had 40.5 sacks through his first four seasons as a pro. White had 70, Greene had 29.5, Allen had 43, and Peppers had 40.5. So the answer is yes, especially considering those other men had lots more help around them when they began their respective careers. Long story short? It’s okay for Chicago to expect big things in the months and years to come.

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