Chicago Bears: Discounted free agent pass rushers Ryan Pace should consider

Mario Addison – OLB

Could the Bears bring back Mario Addison? Yep, that is right, the Bears signed Mario Addison as an undrafted free agent in 2011. Unfortunately, he did not last and ended up playing for the Colts before the season ended. In 2012 he played on three teams before settling onto the Carolina Panthers roster. He has been a Panther ever since and has been fairly consistent as a pass rusher.

Addison will be 33 next season. This is not exactly following the youth movement that Ryan Pace has injected into this team. That said, his age is why Addison could come slightly cheaper than some of the other edge rushers who will be on the open market in 2020.

With the Carolina Panther shaking things up by firing Ron Rivera, it is possible that Addison might not be in the Panthers’ plans next season. Coming off a three-year, $22 million dollar contract, I would think the Bears could sign him to a two-year deal. Something along the lines of a $15 million dollar contract. That would be essentially the same deal based on an average annual salary of $7.5 million dollars per year.

Over his last four seasons, Addison has averaged 8.5 sacks per year. He is coming off of a 9.5 sack season too. Although older, he would make a great addition to this front seven that needs to find more of a pass rush and cannot solely count on Khalil Mack.