Bears: Assessing needs to address in 2020 offseason
By Usayd Koshul
7. Outside linebacker
Besides Khalil Mack and Leonard Floyd, the Bears do not have any edge rushers under contract beyond 2020. Aaron Lynch, Isaiah Irving, and Kevin Pierre-Louis are all set to be free agents. However, even Floyd will be a free agent after the 2020 season. This means the Bears will need to either extend Floyd or draft his replacement in 2020 in order to have someone ready to take over in 2021.
The best-case scenario for the Bears would be to bring back one of their own players like Lynch or Irving. Lynch seems as if he’s most likely to return since he’s been seen lining up at both defensive end and outside linebacker ever since Chuck Pagano took over at defensive coordinator.
If the Bears are unable to bring back Lynch, Irving, or Pierre-Louis, then using free agency to sign a cheap veteran to a short-term deal is always an option too. However, with the market for pass rushers being inflated, the Bears will need to wait until the second wave of free agency to consider signing names like Matt Judon, Chase Allen, and Jamie Collins.
In the draft, there’s one prospect that’s considered to be a day-three prospect as of right now, however, could quickly rise up the boards. Michigan’s Josh Uche has quietly put together a solid senior season with 6.5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss.
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Keep in mind that outside linebacker isn’t a major need but the Bears do need to figure out a way to upgrade the depth behind Floyd and Mack. Another route that the Bears can take is possibly signing some undrafted free agents in order to hope that a hidden gem emerges that will end up making the 53-man roster.