Chicago Bears: 5 free agents who would instantly improve the roster

Chicago Bears Free Agent Target: Olivier Vernon, EDGE

We saw how this defense struggles without a pass rush last season. The team combined for only 35 sacks last season, which ranked 17th among the rest of the league. Khalil Mack led the way with nine. He was 14th (six-way tie) in the NFL. What was most disappointing though was the experiment known as Robert Quinn.

I was all for the Robert Quinn signing, but I have to admit it did not work out the way I thought. Quinn has proven to be a better pass rusher than former Chicago Bears outside linebacker Leonard Floyd. However, the past did not matter when it came to 2020. Quinn struggled with an injury early on and finished with only two sacks on the year. Floyd on the other hand had a career year in sacks with 10.5.

The Chicago Bears could use an insurance policy when trying to improve the pass rush. There are a few ways to go about it. The team could sign Justin Houston, Melvin Ingram, Everson Griffen or a few others. My top choice would have been Ryan Kerrigan, but he signed today with the Eagles.

The longer these players are on the open market the less they should cost. Olivier Vernon is coming off a nine sack season in Cleveland. He played more of the traditional defensive end role, but his only Pro Bowl season came just two years ago when he played outside linebacker for the Giants. This is not the same as signing Quinn as the cost will not be nearly the same.