Despite the excellent performance of the Chicago Bears' defense throughout training camp and the preseason, some questions remain surrounding the edge rusher position. After missing out on Micah Parsons, who was traded to the Green Bay Packers, Bears general manager Ryan Poles has an option in free agency that could help the team instantly keep up with the Packers.
Bears analyst Clay Harbor appeared on CHSN's "The Big Pro Football Show" as they discussed the talent level at edge rusher. Harbor had brought up that Poles has an option that can still help Chicago compete with the rest of the NFC North.
"The only legitimate option you have is to sign a guy like Za'Darius Smith...That's what you have to do to try to keep pace with the teams in your division."
Do the Bears need to make a move at pass rusher after missing out on Micah Parsons? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/Qbgzv6G3DZ
— Bears on CHSN (@CHSN_Bears) August 29, 2025
Would Smith make that much of a difference for the Bears?
Smith knows the NFC North better than any player in the NFL as he has played for all the teams in the division except for the Bears. He spent three seasons with the Packers and one year each with the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings.
During his 10-year NFL career, Smith has racked up 173 quarterback hits and 69 sacks in 140 games. He has selected in three Pro Bowls and one second-team All-Pro selection in 2020. Even at age 32, Smith still had nine sacks last year with the Cleveland Browns and Lions.
Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo are the top options at pass rush for the Bears. Sweat is coming off the least productive season of his NFL career with just 5.5 sacks, while Odeyingbo had just three sacks in 2024 with the Indianapolis Colts.
Chicago also had Austin Booker, who is coming off a four-sack preseason, but was placed on IR and will be out for the first four games of the regular season. Outside of them, the Bears are light off the edge.
Smith would instantly come in, and even if he isn't a starter right away, he can give them a reliable and consistent pass rusher. He would open up opportunities for Sweat to get more shots at the quarterback with pressures.
Read more: Where NFL writer ranked Bears' Khalil Mack trade against Micah Parsons' trade
Now more than ever, the Bears have to make a move that will help maintain their competitiveness in the NFC North. The roster they have right now will make it tougher for them with the Packers, Lions, and Vikings all looking good in 2025.