A common theme is developing with the Chicago Bears’ free agency approach thus far. Of their most prominent additions thus far, all of them have the same thing in common. Direct connections to the men in charge. Wide receiver Byron Pringle comes from Kansas City where GM Ryan Poles worked. Center Lucas Patrick and wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown come from Green Bay where offensive coordinator Luke Getsy worked as well. Now it seems head coach Matt Eberflus has successfully lured somebody as well.
Al-Quadin Muhammad was a 6th round pick fo the New Orleans Saints in 2017. After failing to latch on there, he eventually landed with the Indianapolis Colts. Over the course of four seasons, Eberflus helped turn him into a productive defensive end. One that just finished with a career-high six sacks in 2021. The Bears had need of depth for their reshaped defensive line and Muhammad will provide it.
A solid move at a favorable price.
Former Colts’ DE Al-Quadin Muhammad reached agreement on a two-year, $10 million deal, per source. Muhammad will reunite in Chicago with Bears’ HC Matt Eberflus.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 18, 2022
Al-Quadin Muhammad said NAH 😡 @Qua_Nito @Colts
📺 #INDvsBUF on CBS pic.twitter.com/jgR28vmk61
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) January 9, 2021
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Al-Quadin Muhammad (@Qua_Nito) uses the rip move to beat his blocker & get vertical for the sack! #PassRush #Colts pic.twitter.com/gFHJf24GrT
— DLineVids (@dlinevids1) December 27, 2019
This move will give the Bears a rotation of Robert Quinn, Trevis Gipson, and Muhammad for 2022. That trio delivered a total of 32 sacks combined last season. Not too bad presuming all three can maintain somewhere close to that level of play again. The trickier part is figuring out what to do at defensive tackle. Larry Ogunjobi looked like their solution but he failed his physical. Justin Jones adds rotational value but he can’t be called an ideal three-technique.
It is safe to say Matt Eberflus and Poles still have plenty of work to do. Thus far their free agency approach has been measured. No long deals. Mostly younger players who still have upside. Muhammad is another example. Another reminder that this is a team operating as if they’re in a rebuild. Poles wants to build through the draft. He won’t start taking big swings until he’s laid a foundation of in-house talent. Perhaps Muhammad can build on what he accomplished in Indianapolis.
