The Green Bay Packers have lauded their own moves on defense for the past few months. Everybody is feeling like this unit is going to become the next great one. If that’s true, they’ve made a few rather puzzling moves this offseason. Releasing their captain Clay Matthews was one. Now they’ve added another in the form of defensive end Mike Daniels. Somebody the Chicago Bears are certainly glad is gone.
On the surface, it’s not a huge surprise the move was made. Reports out of Green Bay were the team suffered in terms of their annual profits this past year. This due in large part to a losing season, a massive extension for Aaron Rodgers, and a spending spree in free agency to upgrade the roster. It was almost a virtual guarantee they’d find a way to save some money elsewhere.
Daniels, who turned 30 this year, commanded a $10.7 million cap hit for 2019. That was a chunk of change the team couldn’t pass on. Especially since the veteran had a down season the year before. It makes sense from a business standpoint. However, are the Packers better defensively for this move? No. No, they are not.
Chicago Bears have no reason not to pursue Mike Daniels
The Bears should know from experience how big of a headache Daniels can be. Not only is he a strong presence against the run, but he also is an underrated pass rusher for a big man. He may have only had two sacks in 2018, but he did have 32 total pressures on the quarterback. This while appearing in only 10 games. His stats may have dipped from his outstanding Pro Bowl year in 2017, but he was still effective.
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So this leaves the big question. Should Chicago consider pursuing him?
Right now defensive line may be the strongest position on the entire Bears roster. Akiem Hicks and Eddie Goldman are studs while they have a strong three-man rotation at the other defensive end spot with Bilal Nichols, Roy Robertson-Harris, and Jonathan Bullard. There is zero sense of urgency to upgrade this position. However, there’s no reason to think they shouldn’t pursue Daniels.
Attrition in the NFL is a fact of life. Injuries hit without warning. Having him on the roster could end up proving an incalculable benefit later in the year. Not to mention new defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano has a history of squeezing good production out of older players. He got a tremendous year out of a 33-year-old Corey Redding in Indianapolis back in 2013. There is no reason to think he can’t do the same with Daniels.
It’s a win-win scenario since he’d likely come cheaper since the veteran is angling to join a Super Bowl contender.
