Chicago Bears: Buying or selling top storylines out of training camp

Concern about the pass rush from the Outside Linebacker position?

Buying

The Bears didn’t have a problem getting to the quarterback in 2017. Most of that came from everywhere. The guy leading that charge was a defensive end Akiem Hicks. The defensive end finished the season with 8.5 sacks.

Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio did a good job scheming pressure each game. While that’s all great, the outside linebackers are supposed to be at the forefront of the pass rush. Not a single linebacker cracked double-digit sacks.

Here we are early in camp and it’s a good chance that might be the case again in 2018. Right now it looks like all the pressure is on Leonard Floyd to take that next step as a double-digit pass rusher. They want Aaron Lynch to be that second compliment guy off the edge. Unfortunately, he has been absent most of this offseason with nagging injuries.

Right now the Bears have outside Floyd is Sam Acho, who is not much of a threat as a pass rusher. Last year, undrafted free agent Isaiah Irving flashed during preseason but barely got much of a chance in the regular season. Sixth-round pick Kylie Fitts looks the part of a complimentary pass rusher but also has his set of durability issues.