The Chicago Bears hinted after the fourth and final preseason game that they may not be done tweaking the roster. Head coach Matt Nagy said that evaluations are still ongoing and there may be one or two positions they view as needing to “get better” at before the season begins. He, of course, didn’t reveal which positions those were. So all one can do is speculate. Among the positions that stand out the most?
That would be outside linebacker.
Thankfully the Bears are quite secure at the top. Khalil Mack is a star and Leonard Floyd finished 2018 on a tear. It looks like they’ll remain a formidable tandem, health permitting. The problems lay behind them. Aaron Lynch has continued to battle injury issues since late last season. Kylie Fitts looks like a lost cause. Isaiah Irving remains pesky if uninspiring. James Vaughters is a nice surprise but he’s never logged an NFL snap.
It feels like the Bears can and should try to get better there if possible. That is why a recent cut by the Baltimore Ravens should draw their interest.
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Chicago Bears may be able to salvage Shane Ray
Most view Shane Ray as a bust at this point. That’s not a surprise. He never lived up to his 1st round bill in Denver due to injuries and failed to make it on his second team in Baltimore. Nobody should view signing him as this amazing stroke of good fortune. The question should be is Ray a better #4 option at outside linebacker than Irving or Vaughters? The answer is yes. Specifically in regards to Irving.
The former undrafted free agent rushed the passer 59 times this preseason, getting five pressures and a sack. Ray rushed only 34 times and managed four pressures and a sack. Then there is the fact he had eight sacks back in 2016. So the linebacker, while hardly perfect, has shown he can be a productive rusher off the edge provided that is what he’s asked to do. He’s got more experience and something else that can’t be ignored.
A Super Bowl ring.
