Matt Eberflus Said To Be Focused On Finding One Thing In Draft Or Free Agency

The Chicago Bears have started the process of overhauling their roster this off-season. GM Ryan Poles kicked things off with a calculated trade for veteran offensive lineman Ryan Bates. He gives the team much-needed depth and versatility along the interior three spots. This is only the beginning. Bigger moves are on the horizon. It is only a matter of when they happen. Head coach Matt Eberflus is heavily involved in these decisions, and word is he has certain priorities he’d like to focus on.

Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune insinuated he is hoping to secure more speed along the defensive line, specifically the edge rusher position.

What Matt Eberflus and new defensive coordinator Eric Washington need is a player who can fly off the edge, even if it’s just in clear passing situations. That would complete the group, especially if the team can boost the rush from the inside as well…

…But I think speed is the thing to focus on here. Is it something the team could seek in free agency? Possibly. I’d hesitate to connect the Bears to any of the options that are going to command huge money in free agency. It might not be ideal to have big money in two defensive ends. The Bears would much prefer to have Sweat paired up with a cost-effective option, in my opinion.

This isn’t a big surprise.

Montez Sweat was an excellent addition to the defensive line last year. While he is a great athlete himself, his game is more about length and power. To fully complement him, the Bears need somebody who can bring explosion off the opposite end. That is what Chase Young did well in Washington. With Yannick Ngakoue likely gone, this is a void the Bears must fill.

Matt Eberflus will have some interesting options.

Chicago can go in two directions. They can use their vast cap space to sign a notable free agent or they can take somebody at the top of the NFL draft, likely with the 9th overall pick. Among the top veterans who fit this profile is Josh Allen. The Jacksonville edge rusher had 17.5 sacks last year and boasts a 1.57 in the 10-yard split. Vikings star Danielle Hunter could also be available. He had 16.5 sacks and also a 1.57 split. There is also, of course, Chase Young, who isn’t expected to stay in San Francisco.

If the draft is the preferred method, the options are plentiful if the Bears go early. Dallas Turner was a terror at Alabama with 10 sacks and 14.5 tackles for a loss last season. He showed why at the combine with a 1.54 in the 10-yard split. Florida State’s Jared Verse had 18 sacks over the past two seasons and posted a 1.60. Both have the necessary size and length Matt Eberflus tends to covet. If Eberflus can get what he wants, this defense could end up becoming one of the NFL’s most feared.