The Chicago Bears don’t have a lot of concerns regarding their defense going into 2020. Their pass rush is stacked with Khalil Mack, Robert Quinn, and Akiem Hicks leading the way. Roquan Smith and Danny Trevathan form a strong duo at inside linebacker. Kyle Fuller and Eddie Jackson headline an athletic, playmaking secondary.
Everything appeared set for this season. Then real life got in the way. Star nose tackle Eddie Goldman, a fixture in the middle of their defensive line, opted out due to COVID-19 concerns. Prior healthy history played a primary role in that decision. While the Bears support him, they couldn’t deny his exit leaves major questions about who will replace him.
For the time being it looks like that job will fall to journeyman veteran John Jenkins. While not a terrible player, nobody can say he’s anywhere close to Goldman’s level. This is why people are wondering if the team might have a move in mind to go find help. Damon Harrison is the most popular name mentioned.
Another that deserves some attention? Marcell Dareus.
The 30-year old defensive tackle was released by the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason after a solid stint with the team. While not at the same dominant level he was in Buffalo, he was a big part of their run defense. How big? John Shipley of Sports Illustrated spelled it out.
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“In the 10 games without Dareus (Week 1, then Weeks 9 through 17) Jacksonville allowed 1,522 rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns. This is an average of 152.2 rushing yards per game and 1.7 rushing scores allowed each week. With numbers and performances like these, defenses are going to find themselves at the mercy of the offenses more often times than not.
In comparison, Jacksonville allowed 707 rushing yards (117.83 yards per game) and six rushing touchdowns (one per game) in the six games Dareus played in 2019. The run defense wasn’t good with him in the lineup, but it was infinitely better than it was when he was sidelined.”
Chicago Bears can let Dareus do what he does best
The concern with Dareus is he does have histories. One for substance abuse violations and another for injuries. Since 2016, the big defensive tackle has missed 21 games. Some to suspension and the rest to health issues. There is no denying he is a gamble. However, he’s stayed out of trouble since leaving Buffalo in 2017. So that isn’t as big of a concern.
From his perspective, there would be far less pressure to produce. In Buffalo and Jacksonville, he was viewed as a guy who needed to apply pressure up the middle in addition to stopping the run. That won’t be a requirement in Chicago. He’d be able to focus on plugging the run lanes and eating up blocks, allowing the rushers to devour quarterbacks.
It is a job he knows how to do well and the risk is worth it for the Bears.
