The Chicago Bears' offense has been much better under Ben Johnson, as expected. Their defense, however, has seemed to regress without Matt Eberflus calling the shots. And with eight games still left in the season, that should be a concern.
The Bears have made some minor transactions to help address their defensive woes and make up for their injuries. The trade deadline has passed, but a new opportunity to keep stacking the bricks just popped up. According to a report by NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero, former Super Bowl champion Khalen Saunders has just become a free agent.
The Bears Should Target Khalen Saunders
"The Jaguars are releasing veteran DT Khalen Saunders, per source. A two-time Super Bowl champion in Kansas City, Saunders now heads to waivers with a chance to help another contender in a playoff push," Pelissero wrote on X.
Of course, the Bears already have Jonathan Ford and Chris Williams for depth at that spot. Then again, we can't overlook the fact that GM Ryan Poles was with the Kansas City Chiefs when they drafted Saunders. It is also worth remembering that the defensive tackle is familiar with defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, as he also played for the New Orleans Saints.
The Bears have already signed a player with ties to Allen, and the early returns of the C.J. Gardner-Johnson experience have been fairly encouraging. Granted, Saunders isn't the same caliber of player, but this team could certainly use his expertise against the run. He didn't get much playing time with the Jacksonville Jaguars, but he's always been known for his ability to shut down things in the interior of the defensive line. He might still have some left in the tank.
Through the first nine games of the season, Dennis Allen's defense is giving up the eighth-most rushing yards per game (135.3) and the fourth-most points per game (27.4) in the entire league. Injuries have had something to do with that, and while he wouldn't start over either Grady Jarrett or Gervon Dexter Sr., he might bring more to the table than the depth pieces they have.
This team still has to face Aaron Jones, Jaylen Warren, Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs (x2), Quinshon Judkins, Christian McCaffrey, and the Detroit Lions' deadly tandem of David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. They can't afford to keep being so vulnerable against the run, and they need to do whatever it takes to strengthen their defense for the final stretch of this season.