One edge rusher Ryan Poles is higher on then the fans are

The Chicago Bears’ edge rushing group is one of the weaker position groups on the team. Last season, they finished last in the NFL in team sacks with only 20.

Their individual sack leader wasn’t even on the defensive line. Jaquan Brisker led the team with 4.

In free agency, the Bears signed former Titan Demarcus Walker to a 3-year $21 million dollar deal. He possesses the ability to rush from the outside and the inside.

They also signed former Texan Rasheem Green, who put up 3.5 sacks last season in Houston. While both Walker and Green will get a good amount of reps, they aren’t big names by any means.

The Chicago Bears have a breakout candidate on the edge already in mind.

Ryan Poles believes in Trevis Gipson. The second-year General Manager doesn’t seem to be worried about Gipson’s 2022 regression. In fact, he may be looking to lock him up long-term.

As of right now, Gipson is projected to be a starter. Last season wasn’t his best. He only put up 3 sacks which was a downgrade from 2021 when he put up 7.

Part of that regression may be due to a scheme change. In 2021, Bears defensive coordinator Sean Desai ran a 3-4 defense.

Gipson ended that season with an 87.0 pass-rushing grade, which finished 10th amongst edge rushers. When Matt Eberflus came in, they switched to a 4-3.

It can be difficult to adjust to an entirely new system, especially if you’re a younger player like Gipson.

Trevis Gipson is the exact mold Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus look for in an edge rusher. A big athletic freak.

Coming out of college, he measured in at 6’3” and weighed in at 261 pounds. Gipson can not only rush the passer but stop the run as well. In his previous two seasons with the Bears, he totaled 70 tackles.

The Bears need more production from their edge rushers. When you look at their defense, the linebacking core and the secondary look really good on paper.

One reason that could hold the Bears back from being a Playoff team is the lack of pressure from the quarterback.

The Bears need Trevis Gipson to produce in 2023. He’s got all of the intangibles to be a good pass rusher in the NFL. Year four could be the year when it all clicks.