Where do the Chicago Bears rank amongst top interior rushers in the NFC North?
Now that we are in the slow period between OTAs and training camp, it is a good chance to reflect on the Chicago Bears roster and how it relates to their rivals in the NFC North. This series will dig into each position group, and compare and contrast where the Chicago Bears fit. Today we will look at the interior pass rushers.
4. Detroit Lions: A’Shawn Robinson, Jeremiah Ledbetter, Sylvester Williams, Christian Ringo
With the loss of Haloti Ngata, this group has officially become A’Shawn Robinson’s. After an improved year two, this is a big year three for Robinson. He can bring talent as a run defender, but at this point his upside as a pass rusher is questionable. The Lions will need a big year from him with some questionable depth beside him.
Sylvester Williams is a player that many thought would step up in a similar fashion to Robinson. However, after four years in Denver, it did work out. Williams had a fine season in Tennessee last year, but he is a limited player with a defined ceiling entering year six. The top two names of this group provide little in terms of pass rush.
Jeremiah Ledbetter did not start a single game and played in just 349 snaps last season. Over that span, he put up 14 tackles and half of a sack. To top it all off we have Christian Ringo. Ringo played in just 125 snaps for the Lions last season. Needless to say, this group is not breaking down any doors and would be in one of the bottoms tiers of the league, let alone the NFC North.