Chicago Bears Free Agency: Bargain edge rushers still available
By Ryan Heckman
Andre Branch
Just a week and a half ago, the Miami Dolphins released Andre Branch. In doing so, they saved about $7 million off their cap hit in 2019. To begin with, the contract Branch signed in Miami wasn’t exactly the smartest of deals on the Dolphins’ part. But, Branch earned almost $20 million in three years with the team and made out pretty well.
Branch has never been one who will knock you off your feet with his sack numbers, but getting pressure is almost as good as getting to the quarterback with ball hawks in the secondary. Branch wouldn’t be relied on to play a ton of snaps necessarily, but like anyone on this list, he would come in possessing fresh legs in most instances.
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Because someone like Aaron Lynch played so well last year in this role, it’s imperative for the Bears to find someone who can match his level of play or even surpass it.
Branch is coming off of his lowest sack total (1.5) since his rookie year back in 2012. There is absolutely no way he should cost more than $3 million — and that might even be generous. If he can be had for pennies, Pace should make that move.