Chicago Bears: Aaron Lynch signing adds much-needed pass rush depth
While most of the focus for the Chicago Bears in free agency thus far has been on offense, GM Ryan Pace hasn’t forgotten about the defense.
After bringing back veteran cornerbacks Kyle Fuller (four years, $56 million) and Prince Amukamara (three years, $27 million), Ryan Pace recently addressed another area of need for the Chicago Bears.
On Thursday, it was reported that the Chicago Bears had signed former San Francisco 49ers linebacker, Aaron Lynch, to a one-year deal.
The edge rush was starting to look a little thin after the departures of Pernell McPhee and Willie Young. And while Lynch isn’t a marquee name, he has the ability to get to the passer and at the very least provide depth.
Lynch is entering his fifth year in the league but just turned 25. He will be reunited with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and the Bears are hoping that will jumpstart his career.
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In his first two years in the league with the 49ers (under Fangio), Lynch played in 30 games and recorded 12.5 sacks to go along with seven passes defensed.
But over the last two seasons, he has only played in 14 games and recorded just 2.5 sacks.
He missed four games in 2016 after being suspended for violating the league’s substance abuse policy and just simply lost playing time last season.
There is no doubt that he is hoping for a fresh start with the Chicago Bears. At the same time, Chicago is hoping that Fangio can get Lynch to reproduce his numbers from his first two years in the league.
Aaron Lynch is still young, brings good size & length. Also had his best year under Fangio. Nothing more than a rotational piece for the time being but someone who could end up being a long-term solution if he recaptures his 2014 production. #Bears
— Aaron Leming (@AaronLemingNFL) March 15, 2018
There is no doubt that Leonard Floyd has elite pass-rushing talent, producing 11.5 sacks in his first two seasons in the league, but he is coming off a season-ending knee injury that required surgery.
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Couple this with the fact that the team lost both McPhee and Young and it is clearly evident that the team has a void on the edge. Lynch will help fill that void, but the Bears will almost certainly look to address this in the draft.
There are endless options for Pace with the 8th pick and another pass rusher is certainly on the list.