2. What do Chicago Bears have in Jalyn Holmes?
The Chicago Bears added Jalyn Holmes to the practice squad in October, right before they traded Robert Quinn. He has been with the team for a few months, and now they want to get him up on the active roster to see what he brings to the table.
Holmes was a 2018 fourth-round draft pick by the Minnesota Vikings. He spent three seasons with the team that drafted him but wound up with the New Orleans Saints last season.
Holmes has not been very productive in the sack department, but he has a profile that shows a player who can slide inside on passing downs, and set the edge on run downs. The Chicago Bears called up Andrew Brown, who fills a similar role, and have essentially benched Angelo Blackson, who could not fill that role earlier this season.
The Bears have played both Blackson, and Brown on the edge to try to improve their run defense, and even Matt Eberflus said that Justin Jones would get some work outside. The team will likely also be giving Holmes a chance.
If Holmes can set the edge, and play strong against the run, they will be bringing him back into the mix this summer. If he has a showing similar to Blackson all season, it was at least worth the try because we know that Blackson is gone for sure.