Chicago Bears: 3 early 2022 free agent targets to think about

Target Two: Jonathan Allen, DE – Washington Football Team

Jonathan Allen might really help the Chicago Bears pass rush ahead of 2022.

Did you know Akiem Hicks was only 26 years old when he signed with the Bears? He is easily one of my favorite Bears players over the last six years but I believe his time with the team is coming to an end. He was one of the most severely underrated players at his position during his time in Chicago but his durability has waned and the Bears will likely look in a new direction next offseason as Hicks aims to get paid.

Enter Jonathan Allen, a 26-year-old 6’3 300 lb. defensive linemen from the Washington Football Team.  I see him lining up at the left end in Chicago where Hicks currently plays. In fact, in 2018 and ’19 when Allen lined up at the left end, he recorded 129 tackles and 14 sacks. Hicks over that same time frame had 65 tackles and 8.5 sacks.

Another element to consider is the situation he will be coming to in Chicago. Allen has benefited from playing on a dominant defensive line and in Chicago, he will be walking into a very similar situation. Alongside Mack, Goldman, Nichols, and Quinn, Jonathan Allen will be able to fill the same role he had in Washington, making it easier for him to dominate on the inside as he has in his career thus far.

It is unfortunate that the cornerstones of the elite 2018 defense and everyone’s fan favorites may be nearing the end of their Bears career but it’s crucial that the team get younger quickly while Fields is on his rookie contract. Players like Jonathan Allen will be instrumental in helping maintain the elite defensive play we have come to expect while Fields continues to develop as an NFL QB.