Grading the Chicago Bears’ main moves in free agency

Helping the pass rush (B)

Of course, the Chicago Bears haven’t had much occasion to upgrade the pass rush significantly yet. That’s going to come primarily in the draft as the free agent crop didn’t have a ton of great options (at least, not ones that would be affordable.

That said, grabbing Aaron Lynch was a low-risk, high-reward move from Ryan Pace.

Lynch just turned 25 a few days ago, making him younger than Leonard Floyd. And though he hasn’t produced much of late, missing games due to a PED suspension and reportedly battling weight issues, the promise of his youth (12.5 sacks in his first two seasons) is hard to ignore.

In particular, those first six sacks came with Vic Fangio as his defensive coordinator.

Why not take a cheap gamble on him and Fangio finding that magic again for just $6 million?

If nothing else, though, this move made a ton of sense one way or another. Lynch’s youth and promise were enticing enough, but they also had to replace the departed Pernell McPhee and Willie Young.

Next: Which top prospect will fall to Bears at No. 8?

Again, they will definitely add edge rushers in the draft (possibly with their first pick), but Lynch will be a solid rotation piece.

If he can provide anything close to what he did his first two seasons, he could be a major steal for the Chicago Bears.