NFL insider hints Bears in hunt for one key position to complete roster
The Bears have built a strong roster. They have Caleb Williams as their starting quarterback and they have surrounded him with people like Keenan Allen, Rome Odunze, and D.J. Moore for an offense that can be devastating if it clicks.
But it is on defense that they wish to strengthen more. That is what NFL insider Jeremy Fowler has revealed on NFL Live. Even with Montez Sweat and DeMarcus Walker in the mix, the Bears are looking for an edge rusher. He said,
“The Bears love their roster as it stands, but they’re still looking at edge rusher. They know they probably need one more guy."
He also added that Chicago is not in any hurry and will take its time to make the right choice. The pickings in free agency are pretty slim at the moment and Chicago is reportedly playing a waiting game. Fowler continued,
“Free agency is pretty thin. You’ve got guys like Tyus Bowser, Emmanuel Ogbah, Yannick Ngakoue, (who the Bears) had last year. They didn’t sign him until training camp early on. They’re sort of waiting to see what develops, see if somebody’s at a good bargain. … Everywhere else, they feel really good,” Fowler said.
Can rookie Austin Booker be the answer for the Bears?
If the Bears are not satisfied with their options in free agency, they could look to develop rookie Austin Booker. He has garnered significant praise from veterans like Montez Sweat, who said about him,
“Oh man, I’m excited about him. He’s got the whole makeup, from the frame to the pass rush ability. He’s gonna be a great player... I’ve just gotta be that big brother for him. Be there for him when he has a question, just help him along the way like the vets helped me.”
That is indeed high praise but Chicago could still look to add a veteran at a cut-price, if one is available. With a young quarterback, they need their defense to give him all the help he can get and that is perhaps why they are fretting about this position. The expectations are high and nobody seems to be factoring in the learning curve that a rookie quarterback and a rookie wide receiver will face.
Chicago is the only team from the NFC North that has not made it to the playoffs in the last two years. This year is supposed to be the beginning of a new era and getting everything just right for a young team to succeed could prove harder than anticipated.