The Chicago Bears pass rusher crisis is a real thing. They started out with a genuine concern at that position back in March when they saw fit to unload several notable veterans including Pernell McPhee and Willie Young. Lamarr Houston also left via free agency. They tried to work around the problem with additions like veteran Aaron Lynch and rookie sixth rounder Kylie Fitts.
Thus far the results are lukewarm at best. Lynch has yet to practice due to a hamstring problem. Fitts has a couple nice plays but has looked overmatched at times in the preseason. It gets worse. Now Leonard Floyd, their lone proven rusher with any Pro Bowl upside, has a broken hand. He fractured two fingers during the preseason win in Denver.
This is bad. Very bad. Keep in mind the list of quarterbacks the Bears will be playing this year: Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford, Kirk Cousins, Tom Brady, Jared Goff, Russell Wilson, and Eli Manning. These are top tier guys who have Pro Bowls and rings to their names. You don’t beat them if you can’t pressure them. That’s why the Bears need to find help.
Often in these situations the best idea is to watch teams that may have abundant rusher situations. This means they may be forced to let at least one notable name go most teams would never dream of. Who are these potential teams and what are some names to watch for?
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Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens have done a great job of supplementing their edge rush for years. Right now Terrell Suggs, Matt Judon, Tim Williams and Tyus Bowser should be locked for jobs this year. That leaves a couple of intriguing names in a pinch to make it depending on needs elsewhere.
Za'Darius Smith goes stutter step/chop vs Drango. Finishes with a strip-sack! #Ravens pic.twitter.com/U8rzdAALhp
— DLineVids (@DLineVids) December 18, 2017
Possible cuts who could help: Za’Darius Smith and Kamalai Correa
The Bears got an eyeful of Correa in the Hall of Fame game. He was all over the field, collecting multiple sacks and making plays in coverage as well. He’s had a hard time finding traction in Baltimore but he’s a former 2nd round pick. Odds are he sticks but one can never know. Smith falls under that dependable veteran identity. He’s a jack-of-all-trades who does a little bit of everything and can be good for around 4-6 sacks a year in a rotational role.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos added another high draft choice to their already impressive mix of outside linebackers. Between Von Miller and Bradley Chubb they have their starting spots set and a host of intriguing names battling for limited backup jobs.
Possible cuts who could help: Shane Ray, Marcus Rush, and Jeff Holland
Ray is the big fish here. The former 1st round pick is suddenly fighting for a backup spot after the arrival of Chubb. He’s a free agent next year and is now being pushed by others. Denver may decide to simply cut bait and move on. He did have eight sacks in 2016 though, so there’s talent worth exploring.
Marcus Rush. Sack. Rush beats Theus after the OT tries to pass him off. Beathard holds the ball a loooong time pic.twitter.com/eanPKSg948
— Oscar Aparicio (@BetterRivals) August 12, 2017
Rush is a preseason dynamo who has continued to rack up sacks. In his last eight appearances dating back to 2016, he has nine sacks. The guy clearly has an understanding of how to get to the QB. Holland is an intriguing undrafted free agent out of Auburn with natural rush ability that he flashed in the loss to Chicago this past week.
Dallas Cowboys
A team that was devoid of enough edge rushers for years suddenly appears overburdened with them. Demarcus Lawrence is their main man while Taco Charlton, Tyrone Crawford and 4th round pick Dorance Armstrong should be easy picks to make the roster. It’s surprising how many names after them could be of help in Chicago.
Possible cuts who could help: Randy Gregory, Charles Tapper, and Kony Ealy
Gregory only just got back from an extended stint in rehab to clear up a marijuana problem. He’s basically still a rookie but the guy was viewed as arguably the most naturally gifted pass rusher in the 2015 draft class.
Tapper has ended up on injured reserve two-straight years due to back and foot issues. It’s unfortunate because he flashed considerable rush ability when he actually has played. He only played two games to date and had a sack in one.
Charles Tapper just recorded his first NFL sack. #Sooners #OUDNA pic.twitter.com/uhpeNjsoo0
— Sooner Gridiron (@soonergridiron) September 11, 2017
Ealy looked like a rising star after his dominant Super Bowl performance in 2015, sacking Peyton Manning three times. Since then he’s spent time on three different rosters with the Cowboys being the latest. It’s hard to tell what the problem has been.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars are another team overburdened with a stacked defensive line. One they may have to purge due to salary cap issues in 2019. However, they might try to keep it together for one more year. That might force them to sacrifice some of their younger depth options.
Possible cuts who could help: Dawuane Smoot, Carroll Phillips, and Lerentee McCray
Smoot and Phillips were the defensive end combination at Illinois. In 2016, they combined for 14 sacks and 34 tackles for loss. Smoot is big and strong but surprisingly agile for his size. Phillips is quick and aggressive, able to bend the edge like a linebacker. As for McCray, he’s flashed ability since his days in college but doesn’t have the size for defensive end. His best spot may be outside linebacker.
