7 Defensive linemen who could join the Chicago Bears in 2023

Through 12 games in the 2022 NFL season, the Chicago Bears are tied for a league-worst 16 sacks. The team they are tied with is the Las Vegas Raiders and they have played one fewer game this season. With an average of 1.25 sacks per game, the lack of pressure coming from the front four is a noticeable issue for this team and will need to be addressed in the immediate future.

Defensive line needs to be a major focus for the Chicago Bears in 2023

Head coach Matt Eberflus, the former Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator, and general manager Ryan Poles have surely started thinking about the 2023 offseason already. It is evident after making various trades at the deadline to prepare for the following season and beyond.

It is relatively well-documented in the NFL that you need a quarterback (which the Bears certainly have), an offensive line, and a defensive line to be a competitive team. While protecting Justin Fields and giving him weapons to work with should be a priority, fixing this defense is also a looming task and a stronger defensive line would go a long way to help.

The Chicago Bears have a couple of players who certainly could be rotational pieces for a successful defensive line in the future, such as Trevis Gipson, Armon Watts, and Dominique Robinson. However, none of these guys are likely the true blue-chip players that the Bears need up front to create havoc for opposing offenses.

With eight total picks in the 2023 NFL Draft and easily over $100 million to spend in free agency, there are many players for the Bears to pursue to strengthen and deepen this unit. While this is not an extensive list of every player the Chicago Bears may and should add to their team, it is a list of a realistic group of players who have made an impact in the NFL or for their college teams. These players would likely join the roster as immediate starters.

Defensive line, as well as the offensive line, may end up being the premium focus for the Chicago Bears this offseason as they look to rebuild. With a strong secondary, including two starters from Ryan Poles’ first draft in Jaquan Brisker and Kyler Gordon, any pass rush would actually help these players in having to make fewer downfield tackles and having to cover receivers for a shorter period of time.