The Chicago Bears didn’t make any notable moves at defensive end this offseason. Part of the reason was that they wanted to get more of a look at former 2nd round pick Shemar Turner. The team still has high hopes for him. His torn ACL last year was unfortunate timing, as he was just starting to see more action. His return this week is fortuitous in that regard. The Bears just lost Montez Sweat to a suspension, and Dayo Odeyingbo left Sunday’s game in Green Bay with a quad injury. That means Turner should see significant snaps against the Atlanta Falcons.
This is great for him. It is an opportunity he has been waiting for. At the same time, the Bears will be paying extra close attention to him. Why? They need to know if he will be part of their future plans. It’s already apparent that Sweat might be playing his last season in Chicago. He’s 31 and nets them $21 million with a release this offseason. Grady Jarrett is also likely gone. Maybe Odeyingbo, too. There is a strong possibility that the Bears could completely overhaul their entire defensive line.
The full extent of it may depend on how well Turner plays.
Shemar Turner has little time to orient himself.
The Bears are in a full-blown crisis. Sweat is already out. Odeyingbo will likely miss at least one game, probably more. That leaves the team with few options out of Austin Booker. This is not the situation they wanted to drop Turner into, but it’s the reality. The team took a big risk by avoiding any big investments in the offseason because they believe he can become a viable presence on the edge. There is no way they can maintain that stance unless he starts proving it on the field.
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In his limited opportunities last season, Shemar Turner failed to make an impact. He didn’t have a single pressure on the quarterback. Part of the problem was that the Bears didn’t have him focused on one spot. He started the season playing defensive tackle. Then in week 6, they shifted him to end. That can send a rookie’s head spinning. Thankfully, there shouldn’t be any of that moving forward. The defensive end injuries likely mean he will be playing there full-time. That should at least help him feel comfortable.
Turner was always better on the edge.
Just go back and watch his college tape. He was a borderline dominant force for Texas A&M in 2023 at defensive end, collecting 6 sacks and 10.5 tackles for a loss. Unfortunately, Nic Scourton transferred in the next year, forcing the coaches to shift Turner inside. He made the best of it that he could, but it was apparent the young lineman wasn’t as comfortable on the interior. Thankfully, that won’t be an issue now. Chicago, at least, has enough bodies to handle defensive tackle. They need edge support in the worst way.
He doesn’t have to be a superhero, mind you. That isn’t unrealistic. What the Bears need instead is a sign. An indication that he is heading in the right direction. If he plays the next couple of weeks with what should be extensive snaps and still can’t make a viable impact, it will almost certainly alter the team’s plans, both in the short and long term.
