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Could Vic Beasley Be Good Fit in Chicago Bears’ Defense?

By Clyde A. Speller

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 22: Vic Beasley Jr. #44 of the Atlanta Falcons reacts after sacking Gardner Minshew II #15 of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 22: Vic Beasley Jr. #44 of the Atlanta Falcons reacts after sacking Gardner Minshew II #15 of the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Just a few days ago, the NFL world learned that veteran tight end Greg Olsen and the Carolina Panthers agreed to go their separate ways. This news raised the possible scenario of Olsen joining the Chicago Bears for the 2020 season in an effort to help their underachieving tight ends. Well, now there is another available player who could possibly help the Bears next year.

On Monday, the Atlanta Falcons announced that they have decided to not re-sign edge rusher Vic Beasley, and would let him become an unrestricted free agent in the 2020 offseason.

Beasley, the eighth overall pick of the 2015 NFL Draft, recorded 37.5 sacks in his five seasons in Atlanta, and was selected to a Pro Bowl in 2016. It was during that season where Beasley tallied 15.5 sacks and six forced fumbles (both led the league that year). Unfortunately, after 2016, the production of the Clemson product declined. Beasley had five sacks in each of the 2017 and 2018 campaigns, and recorded eight sacks in 2019.

The main reason for Beasley’s regression was due to him being switched from defensive end to outside linebacker in the Falcons’ 4-3 alignment. This caused him to drop back into pass coverage more often. However, last season Beasley was moved back to defensive end.

Although the Bears’ defense operates out of a 3-4 scheme, will adding Beasley improve an already stout defense? Of course, Khalil Mack is arguably the best defensive player in the league, so he will get a lot of attention from opposing offenses. Then on the other edge is Leonard Floyd, who hasn’t come close to living up to his billing as a first-round draft pick.

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Since entering the league in 2016, Floyd has recorded only 18.5 sacks, and hasn’t taken full advantage of playing alongside Mack over the last two seasons. Potentially replacing Floyd with Beasley might help Chicago’s defense put up the numbers we saw them accumulate in the 2018 season.

It’s important to mention that Floyd will be in the final year of his rookie contract in 2020. So if by chance the Bears do lure Beasley to the Windy City, they could possibly try to trade Floyd for some much-needed draft picks for the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft.

Obviously, it is way too early to know whether or not if general manager Ryan Pace and the rest of the Bears’ front office will show interest in Beasley. But, having a defense that ranked eighth in the NFL in 2019 that’s led by Mack would attract any high-profile defensive player. So seeing Beasley showing interest in Chicago would not be a complete surprise.

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