One major complaint about the Chicago Bears during the offseason has been the lack of depth at certain key defensive positions.
All that attention has been on the defensive line and linebackers. The additions of Dayo Odeyingbo and Grady Jarrett have certainly helped the line, but concerns arise off the edge. Outside of Austin Booker, there are questions about who can help put pressure on the quarterback.
Bleacher Report writer Matt Holder might have the solution for Chicago in Za'Darius Smith. Holder included Smith in his list of top free agent defenders and had the Bears as one of the three ideal landing spots for Smith.
"The pass-rusher has also been linked to the Bears, via Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, so staying in the NFC North and reuniting with Ben Johnson is a possibility.
With Dayo Odeyingbo taking the early-down responsibilities and sliding inside in passing situations, Smith would be a great complement on the edge with Montez Sweat."
Smith could be an instant contributor on the Bears in 2025
The Bears know Smith well from his time with every NFC North team except the Bears. It was considered a successful season last year for Smith as a member of the Detroit Lions, who started part of the season with the Cleveland Browns before being shipped to Detroit, as he finished with nine sacks and 17 quarterback hits in 17 games.
Smith has had a stellar career since the Baltimore Ravens selected him in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He has put up 333 tackles, 173 quarterback hits, 85 tackles for loss, 69 sacks, 16 pass deflections, and 10 forced fumbles in 10 years. Smith has been selected for three Pro Bowls and was a second-team All-Pro in 2020 with the Green Bay Packers.
Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen would be stoked to have Smith in the rotation off the edge, as he can be a starter over Odeyingbo, or at least have the two split time. Smith has been a consistent performer and even at 32 would be considered one of the top 15-20 pass rushers in the NFL.
Depth is needed for the Bears on the defensive line and this would only improve it. Smith and Booker would make great complementary pieces to rotate in the game for Sweat and Odeyingbo.
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This was a Bears defense that was ranked near the bottom of the NFL, as they allowed over 345 yards per game. Smith can come in and help the unit right away and move them one step closer to being playoff contenders.