The Chicago Bears preseason opener gave us some clarity surrounding the team's defensive tackle position. Two names who might have stronger holds on their roster spots than some think are Kentavius Street and James Lynch.
Chicago Bears Defensive Tackle Battle Coming Into Focus
Veteran Grady Jarrett sat out, giving us a strong indication of who the third man up in the rotation currently is. Right now, that is veteran free agent Kentavius Street.
Street played every snap with the starting defense, but finished with just eight snaps because he was pulled with Gervon Dexter and the rest of the starters. After that, the team played Neville Gallimore next to Jordan van den Berg.
The veteran signing and the rookie both played 28 snaps overall. They were on the field for the same amount of work, and then were pulled around the same time. They are clearly the fourth and fifth option in the rotation, as Street was resting during their chances to play.
This is notable because Galimore signed for more than Street in free agency and van den Berg was the draft pick, while Street is a bit of a journeyman. However, he has been getting solid reviews in training camp, and the team gave him the recognition with his preseason usage.
His job appears to be locked in, and so does James Lynch. Lynch did not get on the field until later, and he played 46 snaps, which was the second most on the team. However, it was the way that he was used that intrigues.
He was not used as a typical interior lineman. He played 17 snaps as an interior rusher, and 15 snaps outside of the tackle as a rush end. Then, he played 14 snaps over the tackle like a base end.
He essentially played the role that the team is carving out for former second-round pick Shemar Turner. That role was going to lock down the fourth edge rusher spot.
The Bears signed Marcus Davenport, which might be signaling Turner will be missing time into the regular season. Still, the team is thin here. If Lynch provides value as the fifth edge rusher in the rotation and the fifth interior defensive lineman in the rotation, teams will want to play him due to his ability to assist during injury scenarios.
Most 53-man roster projections have both Street and Lynch as fringe roster players. The preseason might say they have much better chances.
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