Earlier this offseason, Chicago Bears fans were not pleased when the team cut veteran defensive end DeMarcus Walker in February. Walker was entering the final year of his three-year, $21 million deal in the Windy City.
The Bears freed up $5.25 million in cap space, which likely helped them make other moves in free agency. At the time, Bears fans didn’t understand the decision, given that Walker was effective despite playing out of position. Some Chicago fans believed Walker was better suited on the inside, but he made the best of the situation.
Last campaign with the Bears, the 30-year-old defensive lineman posted 47 combined tackles, 23 quarterback pressures (career-high), 16 QB hits, seven tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks. Over his two years in Chicago, Walker had 77 combined tackles, 32 quarterback hits, 16 tackles for loss, and seven sacks in 34 games (29 starts).
Those are still solid numbers, and it should help Walker sign with a team before the 2025 NFL Draft kicks off next season. However, the veteran defensive lineman hasn’t signed with a new team.
Bears Free Agent DeMarcus Walker Still Unsigned as NFL Draft Approaches
Walker has reportedly visited with the Detroit Lions and New York Giants, but left both teams without a deal. Bears fans are likely taking a huge sigh of relief that he didn’t sign with the Lions, though it's only a matter of time before he finds his next opportunity.
Over the last few years in the NFL, Walker has proven to be an adequate rotational defender who can start when called upon. Before he signed with the Bears, Walker was coming off an exceptional season with the Tennessee Titans in 2021.
During that year, Walker had 32 combined tackles, 16 quarterback hits, 10 tackles for loss, and seven sacks (career-high) in 17 games (six starts). He did all of this while only playing 37 percent of defensive snaps.
The veteran defender couldn’t replicate the same sack numbers in his two years in the Windy City, but Bears fans understood what he brought to the defense.
With free agency slowing down ahead of the draft, it wouldn’t be surprising if he signs not too long after the NFL’s huge three-day event. Meanwhile, Bears fans hope Dayo Odeyingbo can step in for Walker after they signed him to a shocking three-year, $48 million deal. Last season, Odeyingbo had three sacks and 16.5 in his first four years in the NFL.