Every Chicago Bears fan continues to pray that general manager Ryan Poles will land an edge rusher for the team, but that dream remains just that: a dream.
The Bears probably never made an attempt at him, but Myles Garrett is off the table after the stunning trade to the Los Angeles Rams. Things got even worse for edge rusher options as the Pittsburgh Steelers gave edge rusher Nick Herbig a $100 million contract extension, as he was set to become a free agent next offseason.
That now leaves two players off the board, and the Bears facing few options at the position. Help is really needed after the team had only 33 sacks in 17 regular season games last year. Really, the question is: are any of the viable options good ones for them to pick from, or did they dig themselves into a hole too big to climb out of and have to hope someone on the current roster steps up?
Bears might be out of luck at edge rusher for the next year
The Bears lost so many good options in the offseason that they could have gone after. Guys like Trey Hendrickson, Maxx Crosby, Garrett, and now Herbig.
Crosby could still be on the table, but it would have to take a miracle to make it happen after the Raiders got burned on their trade with the Ravens involving him. Las Vegas is more likely just to hold out until midway through the season or next offseason if they revisit it.
Realistically, there are two solid options the Bears could look at in free agency next offseason. Andrew Van Ginkel and Kayvon Thibodeaux could be guys Chicago looks like to add next offseason to improve the edge rusher position, but they are still not as good as a guy like Crosby.
Poles is still holding out for hope that Austin Booker or Dayo Odeyingbo could end up being great edge rushers for the Bears. They need some kind of partner in crime for Montez Sweat, but have not seen it quite yet, with Booker having a chance to break out in Year 3.
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It's been a disappointing offseason for the Bears in terms of what they didn't do at edge rusher, and it appears things aren't going to get much better, with the options not there for the rest of this offseason and into the next one.
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