The Chicago Bears have had a busy offseason, and we’re only one week into the free agency period. One of the most predictable overhauls came in the trenches as the Bears added Neville Gallimore and Kentavius Street to help add some depth and productivity to the defensive tackle position.
But while the middle of the defensive line has been addressed, the edge rusher position could use some love. Montez Sweat is set to return after another productive season with a team-high 10 sacks. But he could use some help as the rest of the Bears’ edge rushers combined for just eight sacks and leaned heavily on the secondary’s knack for creating turnovers.
With the first wave of free agency complete, it could be hard for the Bears to find that impact player on the outside. But they could take a step forward and leave the door open for another significant addition by signing Jadeveon Clowney.
Bears’ Potential Jadeveon Clowney Signing Could Have Multiple Benefits
Clowney has been around the block a few times entering his age-33 season, but his productivity with the Dallas Cowboys showed he could still get the job done. In 13 games, Clowney logged 41 total tackles with 12 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks. Pro Football Focus was also impressed by his work, crediting him with 40 pressures and a team-high 16.7% win rate on 227 pass-rushing snaps.
That win rate would have been the highest among Bears edge rushers last season, clearing Sweat’s mark of 13.5%. It’s also notable that only Dominique Robinson was the Bears’ only edge rusher to clear 10% in that metric, with Austin Booker at 9.6% and Dayo Odeyingbo at 8.4%.
Those numbers would make Clowney a perfect short-term signing. While Sweat returns, Booker may be more suited for a rotational role despite a strong second season, and the Bears’ pass-rushing group was further weakened by the departure of Robinson on a one-year, $3 million contract to the Houston Texans.
Although Clowney would have a starting role if he were to go to Chicago, it keeps the door open to add an edge rusher in next month’s draft for the long-term. NFL Mock Draft Database’s consensus mock draft has Chicago taking Clemson defensive lineman Peter Woods with the 25th overall pick, but their big board also hints that his teammate T.J. Parker (No. 30), Texas A&M’s Cashius Howell (No. 31), or Missouri’s Zion Young (No. 38) could all be available when the Bears are on the clock.
With Odeyingbo also recovering from a torn Achilles, the Bears will need both short and long-term options to fix their pass rush. The long-term option could wait until April’s draft, but Clowney could be the short-term piece that helps them defend their division title in 2026.