Chicago Bears Free Agency: Outside Linebackers
Tamba Hali — Kansas City Chiefs
Hali is one of the key producers in Kansas City’s tough defense. He had a big hand in helping the Chiefs be a seventh-ranked defense in total yards and third-ranked defense in points allowed. He was just named to his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl.
Hali is effective both against the pass as well as against the run. He is ranked as the fifth-rated outside linebacker overall.
You want a pass rusher? In ten seasons with Kansas City, Hali has 86 career sacks. He also has 553 career tackles. He has the ability to get into the backfield and get to the quarterback. This season, he had 6.5 sacks and 48 tackles, and he had two forced fumbles.
In Kansas City, Hali had Justin Houston on the opposite side that helped him. In Chicago, he would have McPhee to do the same. Opposing teams cannot double-team both players, and if they do, someone else on the defense will be free to create havoc. Chicago Bears’ defensive coordinator Vic Fangio would love to have that.
In addition to the athletic ability and speed to get into the backfield, Hali also has the strength to bull rush offensive linemen.
Hali is 32 years old, but is still effective. With Sam Acho and perhaps someone else in a rotation, he could still be fresh late into the season and help bring back the monster defense that Chicago Bears fans are accustomed to seeing.
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