6 Linebackers the Chicago Bears could add in 2023
By Peter Jurich
The Chicago Bears could pull off one high-profile trade
Demario Davis
One of the most experienced outside linebackers in the NFL, the Saints may have no choice but to shop Demario Davis this offseason. While the Bears are number one in cap space available to spend this offseason, the New Orleans Saints are not only last, but are currently set to be $50 million over the cap in 2023.
Because of this, as well as a lack of draft capital in this offseason’s draft, the Saints may look to offload some expensive, veteran contracts, starting with Davis.
The soon-to-be 34-year-old linebacker has been one of the most impressive and underrated linebackers of the past few seasons. Davis has been a leader on the Saints’ defense for the past five seasons and has been a full-time starter in the NFL for 10 seasons, failing to miss a single game due to injury in his 11-year career.
Similar to Lavonte David, Demario Davis is on the wrong side of 30 for an NFL linebacker, but not only does he still appear to have a lot left in the tank (there’s been practically no statistical falloff over the past five or so seasons), but he also has the leadership abilities to step in and be a productive role model for younger players on this defense.
It is doubtful that the Saints would require much more than a mid-round pick in order to send away an expensive and aging linebacker, but for the immediate future of the Bears, an experienced mentor for a young defense like Davis could be positive as the unit looks to build cohesively in the next few years under a defensive-minded head coach like Matt Eberflus.