Chicago Bears: Free agents still available before 2019 NFL Draft
By Ryan Heckman
Defensive End Muhammad Wilkerson
Remember when, just last year, the Packers signed Muhammad Wilkerson and Green Bay fans went wild? They thought the Packers had signed a true game-changer, only to see him suit up for three games before suffering a season-ending ankle injury.
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Not that I revel in anyone’s misfortune, but the fact that Wilkerson is coming off injury in 2018 could actually be a positive for a team like the Bears. Wilkerson would come cheap, like Ansah, and would add yet another guy to the pass rush mix.
Chicago has Akiem Hicks, Bilal Nichols and Roy Robertson-Harris as their main guys at the end position, as well as Jonathan Bullard. The first three should be roster locks, while I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bears moved on from Bullard over the summer.
Wilkerson is 29 years old and has two double-digit sack seasons while with the New York Jets. If he were to come to Chicago, the pressure would be off. He’d be playing with the most talented defense of his career, giving him a whole lot more free rein to work with rushing the passer. As a depth addition, Wilkerson wouldn’t be a bad signing at all, especially if he stayed healthy.