Chicago Bears 2023 free agency: Is Dre’Mont Jones a must sign?

The Chicago Bears are practically drowning in cap space heading into the 2023 off-season festivities. With many positions of need, the crazy amount of cap space is certainly a blessing for Ryan Poles and the organization.

Both sides of the ball are in need of a revamp after a miserable 2022 season that saw the Bears finish 3-14 and drop 12 of their last 13 games.

One of the reasons for this slump was the horrendous play of the defensive line. The Bears’ defense ranked 31st in opponent rushing yards per game and 32nd in sacks per game. It’s safe to say that the Bears need to improve that position group if they want to see any future success.

On a positive note, 2023 looks to be a deep free agency class at that position so Ryan Poles should have options. Daron Payne and Javon Hargrave are going to be the most expensive on the open market as both are projected to sign for over 20 million dollars a year.

Ryan Poles and the Chicago Bears are in need of a consistent defensive lineman.

The Bears do have the funds to make a deal like that work but it isn’t likely. Daron Payne is likely to get franchised tagged by the Washington Commanders, which would almost certainly drive up the asking price of Javon Hargrave.

Instead of attempting to be the highest bidder on a 30-year-old defensive tackle, prioritizing a much younger Dre’Mont Jones would be a much smarter option.

Jones was a dominant force for the Denver Broncos in 2022, recording 6.5 sacks and 47 tackles in only 13 games. He brings both the run-stopping and interior pass-rushing that the Bears are in desperate need of.

At only 280 pounds, Jones is athletic enough to play both DT and DE for the Bears. His quickness off the ball allows him to catch interior linemen off guard while at the same time still being stout enough to take on blockers in the run game.

Jones comes from a 3-4 defense in Denver where he was used as a ‘gap stuffer’. He would often take on multiple blockers, attempting to free up his linebackers.

If Jones were to come to Chicago, he would be playing in a 4-3 defense, which would lower the number of double teams seen, allowing him more space to rush the passer and stuff the run.

If the Bears do end up signing Jones, I’d expect his production to be even greater than it was in Denver. A better scheme fit often does wonders for a player’s career. The 26-year-old should also naturally improve with age.