It's not often in today's NFL that a 4-3 defense is in its base alignment, with four down linemen and three linebackers.
According to the 33rd Team, defenses have had at least five defensive backs on the field 50% or more since 2015. With offenses utilizing more pass-catching targets, defenses had to adjust, which meant taking away one of the linebackers in a 4-3 defense. Defenses league-wide had five defensive backs on the field, 65.1%—the second-highest mark in the last 12 years.
Although the NFL has clearly been trending in the direction of utilizing more defensive backs, there's still a need to have a reliable third linebacker on the field, especially against heavy offensive personnel groupings and in goal line situations.
Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen and the Chicago Bears are still working to figure out who will be on the field alongside Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Edwards.
During the first week of the Bears’ Organized Team Activities, Noah Sewell got a look with the first-team defense last Wednesday. Edmunds was asked about Sewell's opportunity to potentially win that spot.
“I don't really know what that looks like,” Edmunds said. “But just as far as him as a player, Noah is a baller for sure. I think what he's doing like with his body this year too, you see major changes in that and that just speaks on his work ethic and how important it is to him. I think if you put yourself in a position to have success, I mean, you're going to get success. He's working hard in the weight room, on the grass, like all that type of stuff, and his ability to make plays, obviously, that sticks out as well. His mindset and all types of stuff. Being a young guy, that sticks out as well. So I'm excited to see what he does for sure.”
Sewell was drafted in the fifth round out of Oregon in 2023. The 6-foot-1, 253-pound linebacker has only played 32 total defensive snaps the past two seasons, but he has played 410 special teams snaps since 2023.
Jack Sanborn, who is now reunited with Matt Eberflus in Dallas, played a majority of the snaps when the Bears had three linebackers on the field the past three seasons.
The Bears need to establish who will be their next Sanborn. Maybe that will be this year's fourth-round draft pick, Ruben Hyppolite.
“I can see how much he loves the game, you know what I mean?” Edmunds said. “He's really observant of what's going on around. I was kind of like that when I was a rookie, so I see what he's on. I think he's going to be a good player for sure. I like the way that he approaches it, business-like mindset. Obviously, I'm speaking outside the field, what he does on the field, speed, and all that stuff sticks out too. Just like his mindset coming to the building, especially being a rookie, is where it needs to be."
Bears looking to identify their strong-side linebacker during OTAs
In Wednesday's OTA practice session inside the Walter Payton Center, Hyppolite showed off his 4.39 40-speed when he ran to the flat to cover a pass intended for fellow rookie Kyle Monangai. Had the period been a live session, there would have been a big collision.
Daniel Hardy has also entered the mix for that potential third starting linebacking spot. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound defensive end was lined up on the line, but also was in a two-point stance and floated back in coverage. Head coach Ben Johnson was asked if Hardy is in the mix at the linebacker position.
"We're finding out,” Johnson said. “He's toggled a little bit between defensive line, and we're going to experiment a little bit with him this springtime and in training camp, to see what he looks like dropping into coverage for us and what we're asking our linebackers to do. I do know this, he's got some pass-rush ability. He's shown that over his time here, and that's intriguing. But, we're going to look to expand his skillset, as well."
The Bears also have Amen Ogbongbemiga, who plays primarily on special teams, Swayze Bozeman, Carl Jones and undrafted rookie Power Echols.
There is still time to experiment at that position, and it wouldn't be shocking if more players are added to the mix as the season progresses. The SAM linebacker isn't what it used to be, but Allen and the rest of the coaches need someone to emerge from that group so the collective unit is confident when that player is asked to contribute.