For better or worse, and with the possibility the plan will have to change, the Chicago Bears will attempt to cultivate the pass rush they need very badly from who they already have. More specifically, they're counting on internal solutions to the edge rusher spot opposite Montez Sweat as they have avoided making a significant move.
Until further notice, there will be some level of clamoring for the Bears to add a notable edge rusher. A solid list of available veteran free agents at this point in time also works in their favor, should they pivot from their current plan before Week 1.
Among those notable free agent edge rushers, former No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney seems like a good match for the Bears. Stout against the run and a very effective pass rusher with some inside-outside versatility, he is best-suited to a part-time role at this point in his career. So he would not steal many snaps from, for example, Austin Booker.
New perceived favorite to sign Jadeveon Clowney will have Bears' fans shaking their heads
Writing for Sports Boom, NFL insider Jason La Canfora recently took a look at Clowney's situation. As easily expected, "several teams" are monitoring his situation with it considered likely he signs with a team somewhere around the start of training camp.
La Canfora then honed in some teams who may be in on Clowney.
"Every team in the NFC North, for instance, is lacking a defensive player in the mould of Clowney, and it would not surprise league execs if he ended up with Chicago, Detroit or Green Bay, in particular."
"Clowney is in no hurry to sign anywhere, according to sources with knowledge of the situation, and at this stage of his career, even training camp, or a full training camp, is not a prerequisite for him."
Clowney being in no hurry to sign is no surprise, nor is it unprecedented. In two of the previous three offseasons, he signed with a team on August 18 or later. Just last year, somewhat fueled by the Carolina Panthers not cutting him until May, he didn't sign with the Dallas Cowboys until after Week 1.
In terms of the team who may end up signing Clowney, La Canfora passed along a "hunch" from a league executive.
"One executive told SportsBoom he has a hunch that Clowney ends up with the Packers. Green Bay star pass rusher Micah Parsons is going to miss upwards of half the season returning from surgery."Â
The Bears not adding Clowney or another proven edge rusher, such as they'll even really need to at any point, is one thing. But to watch the Packers, their most-hated rival, sign Clowney and pair him with Micah Parsons at some point this season would be a whole different level of disappointment.
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A "hunch" from a single league executive can easily be written off as nothing. But it's not out of the question to suggest the Packers could swoop in and steal a veteran edge rusher from under the Bears' noses, and it wouldn't specifically have to be Clowney.
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