Chicago Bears: This recent signing could be sneaky spark for pass rush

In the 2023 NFL Draft, the picks simply didn’t fall the Chicago Bears’ way for the team to address the pass rush.

General manager Ryan Poles did go after the interior defensive line, though, in selecting Gervon Dexter, Zacch Pickens and Travis Bell. But, it looks like the team will be rolling into the coming season with Trevis Gipson, Dominique Robinson and DeMarcus Walker as the main three guys off the edge.

However, earlier this week, the team did opt to sign an undrafted free agent defensive end in Houston’s D’Anthony Jones. The signing came after their rookie minicamp, and Chicago was quite impressed with the Houston product. This might be a mere camp body type of signing, or it could actually turn into something special.

Did Poles find a gem with this guy?

There is potential for D’Anthony Jones to make an impact on the Chicago Bears

First of all, look at the opportunity for any defensive end to come in and make their presence felt within the organization. There are zero big names at that spot. The Bears need a spark. If you’re judging by college production, Jones definitely has a shot to make this roster.

Take this for what it’s worth, but Jones did come out of 2022 with Pro Football Focus’ number 1 overall pass rush grade in all of college football at 93.1

Standing 6-foot-3 and 270 pounds, Jones finished last season with a whopping 52 pressures.

In three seasons with the Cougars, Jones posted 61 total tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks (8.0 last year alone) and, most intriguingly, eight forced fumbles.

This is a guy, above anything else, who aims to be a disruptor. He wants to make quarterbacks uncomfortable and go after the football. The Bears need that type of attitude. They need players who want to be disruptive and play with an edge.

This defense has to be more physical, aim for more takeaways and garner more big plays in the back field. Jones is certainly the type to bring that to the table. With the way the roster is currently constructed, there is absolutely a path for Jones to make this roster, at the very least.

Last year, we saw the Bears implement more of a militant style up front, too. They rotate in several guys on the defensive line, throughout the game and each drive. Jones has a great shot to get on the field if he simply makes the team. There’s no doubt about that.

If he makes this team at the end of the summer, it will be fun to see what kind of impact he can make at the NFL level.