
Have the Bears done enough at the edge?
One of the biggest disappointments in 2024 was the defense, specifically at the edge. The Chicago Bears were not able to get pressure on the edge. Early on they were able to get pressure from up the middle so that helped a bit. However, Andrew Billings had his season cut down due to an injury.
We saw how integral Billings was. With him taking up space, Gervon Dexter was on his way to having a breakout season. That changed without Billings. It also put more pressure on the edge defenders to step up. They were not able to and it hurt the defense.
The defense needs an edge who can take pressure off of Montez Sweat. Sweat was able to have a big season when the Bears traded for him. Last season, though, without having someone on the other side, opponents were able to send a lot of people at him and shut him down.
Poles hit the free agent market and picked up Dayo Odeyingbo and Grady Jarrett. He also picked up rookie Shemar Turner. While it is likely that Odeyingbo gets the first shot as the starter, there will be a rotation. Dominque Robinson and Austin Booker will be the main backups.
Booker looks to have a breakout season. There is a lot of hope on his shoulders. He has a lot of talent but was looking to find his way in his rookie season. He had a limited college experience so the NFL was a huge step up. Now that he is more comfortable, he could break out.
If someone could step up and take over on the opposite side of Sweat it would give the Chicago Bears defense a big boost. When Sweat is able to move, he is a problem for offenses. A healthy Billings helps the interior as well. Having pressure from both edges and the middle will transform the defense. That, in turn, helps the secondary when a quarterback has to hurry up his throws.
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