As expected, the Bears have been a steady presence during the legal tampering period’s opening hours. They will stay at it, bolstering their defensive line.
Chicago will add veteran interior D-lineman DeMarcus Walker, Mike Garafolo of NFL.com tweets. Walker has bounced around since his Broncos rookie contract expired, but he played well as a rotational pass rusher with the Titans last season. As a result, Garafolo adds the former second-round pick is expected to draw more than $7MM per year on a three-year agreement (Twitter link). It is a three-year, $21MM pact, Jeff Howe of The Athletic tweets.
Teaming with pass rushers Jeffery Simmons and Denico Autry, Walker enjoyed a career year in Nashville. He racked up seven sacks — three north of his previous career high — and 16 QB hits; the Florida State product had never previously tallied more than seven in a season. Walker could be on track to land a starting role next season, depending on how the rest of the Bears’ offseason goes. Chicago entered the week with holes across its defense.
This is Walker’s first multiyear deal since his rookie contract. The Broncos moved him around the formation during his first four seasons, though he has been predominantly used as an interior D-lineman. The Bears traded Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn last year, while also releasing Eddie Goldman and letting Akiem Hicks walk in free agency. As a result, their pass rush was thoroughly unproductive during the 3-14 campaign. Chicago finished with 20 sacks, and no one from its front seven topped the three-sack mark.
Walker joins Titans teammate Nate Davis as Windy City-bound. The four-year Tennessee guard starter signed a three-year deal with Chicago earlier Monday. As far as the D-line goes, the Bears have work to do. They also traded out of the top spot in the draft, and the team going to No. 9 will likely leave them outside the Will Anderson–Jalen Carter range. Walker, 28, will be expected to contribute, but the Bears — who entered Monday with the NFL’s most cap space — will need more help along their defensive front this offseason. Some of the top pieces — Javon Hargrave, Dre’Mont Jones, Zach Allen, Marcus Davenport — have already agreed to terms elsewhere.
Signing a big money off ball linebacker with the worst defensive line in nfl history is the same thing as signing a big money running back with the worst offensive line ever, what an awful team building day, situational pass rusher, that’s good after this we only need 4 starting DLineman
You do realize this isn’t a one offseason rebuild right? We’re not going to be playoff contenders until 2025 at the earliest
I agree with this… but still think Edmunds was an overpay at a position that had a lot of other options and isn’t a top priority.
Maybe Zach Allen and Okereke instead of Edmunds and Walker for basically the same money?
Edwards and Nate Davis are great signings though.
They definitely filled some holes today. Looks like to me they’re going to focus on both lines in the draft which is fine. This is not a quick fix. I’m fine with what Poles has done so far. You don’t hand out money just because you can. Leave some room for possible extension or two and roll over the rest for next year.
Flus system was bottomed out last year, they need a couple 3’s and one more 7 technique guy to make this even a serviceable front seven. Get one in the draft at each, maybe a few prove it one year guys in FA. THEN MAYBE… their run defense won’t be a turnstile. They are a far way away, but there is no way to go but up from 2022
The off-ball linebacker is an important position in Flus’ system. They still have opportunities in free agency and the draft.
Walker is a good add. Rather than spend a ton of money on a LT they should take Johnson or Skoronski and then figure out how they fit. If we have to go with Jones at LT again next year it’s OK, it’s more important to have good OL than bad ones, get em here and figure out how they fit later. They should have 2 pretty high 1st’s next year to fill in what they don’t get this year plus they’ll have a decent mount of cash to spend then also. Like the man said, this isn’t a 1 year rebuild. Just don’t reach. The 2 seconds and 3rd should be 2 DL probably.
Agreed. If they draft a RT early and a C later the OL is starting to look pretty good. Assuming another year of development for Jones and Jenkins that is.
I do think they will sign a number of one year deals and keep that cap space available for next year too.