The Chicago Bears wasted no time attacking their poor interior offensive line this offseason, as they agreed to two different trades with the Los Angeles Rams and Kansas City Chiefs, respectively, that will bring Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney to Chicago. The defensive line is now in the crosshairs.
The Bears have frequently been mentioned as a spot for many of the top defensive line prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, as the depth in this class could lead to as many as nine or ten players being picked in the first round. However, the Bears could achieve an even better upgrade if they play their cards right in free agency.
The Bears may not be willing to break the bank for for All-Pro talent, but players like former Tennessee Titans edge rusher Harold Landry should be firmly in Ryan Poles' crosshairs. Tennessee will release Landry as new GM Mike Borgonzi remakes the roster.
The Titans may not think Landry was worth keeping around, but their penny-smart ways could prove to be dollar foolish if he lands with the Bears and becomes a star. Landry's final season with the Titans was a testament to his quality as a defensive end.
Bears should be all over Harold Landry signing in free agency
Landry does come with some concerns about his ability to blow buy defenders with pure speed and his durability due to him having missed an entire season two years ago. When healthy, despite playing in a defense that had a very thin pass rush outside of him, Landry was still able to get to the quarterback.
In five of his last six seasons, Landry has recorded at least nine sacks. A productive run defender with three straight 70-tackle seasons to his name, Pro Football Focus graded Landry out as the seventh-best run-defending pass rusher in the league.
Landry should be able to start right away on a defense that was able to keep the Bears in most of their games under Matt Eberflus. With Landry, one more defensive lineman, and an extra defensive back, this group could go from good to great under Dennis Allen.
If the Bears can head into the 2025 NFL Draft with big holes in the trenches on both sides officially plugged, Poles and Johnson may have all they need to make this team a viable playoff contender. Last year, Landry showed he has more than enough juice left in the tank.