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

Matt Judon or Jordan Jenkins

Two other names that might be available in free agency but the market for them could be a little pricier are Matt Judon and Jordan Jenkins. Neither are big names, but they are coming off productive rookie contracts.

Matt Judon is a fifth-round pick who played in Baltimore for the last four years. Baltimore has a way of producing solid pass rushers and Judon might not fit in most systems. That said, I think he’d do well in Chuck Pagano’s system. Judon is coming off a 9.5 sack season. Over the last three years, Judon has averaged eight sacks. He would be a great addition to this Bears defense, but likely will be highly touted by other teams with more salary-cap space.

Jordan Jenkins has not been as productive as Judon, but he has not been far off. Jenkins was a third-round draft pick of the New York Jets in 2016. Just like Judon, Jenkins will be wanting a significant pay increase. In 2019, Jenkins had his most productive year. He finished with eight sacks, 21 solo tackles, nine tackles for loss and 13 quarterback hits. If only those were Leonard Floyd stats. Jenkins has averaged five sacks per year for his career.

Both of these guys will likely sign a three or four-year deal. Judon is older at already 28 years old for the 2020 season. Jenkins was not as productive but is only 26. Either way, if the Chicago Bears were to sign either of them to a four-year deal, the contract would likely only be a three-year deal with the fourth year being an easy out for the team.

With Leonard Floyd’s production being minimal from a pressure perspective and Aaron Lynch becoming a free agent again (let us face it he is not great either and how many offsides penalties do the Bears need?), the Bears need to address their outside linebacker position. These are a few names Ryan Pace should consider.