3 Veteran Defensive Line Free Agents Who Could Help the Chicago Bears in 2024

Calais Campbell

A veteran of the NFL since the 2008 season, Calais Campbell is one of the steadiest players to ever grace the professional ranks. So far throughout his career, Campbell has played in 244 regular season games over 16 years where he has recorded 105.5 sacks and 175 tackles for loss.

Campbell will be 38 years old by the start of next season, so it is hard to envision him being a full-time starter for the Chicago Bears, but his unique frame makes him one of the biggest mismatches in the NFL. Standing at a towering 6'8", 285 lbs, Campbell's size makes him nearly an automatic double-team candidate when lined up across the interior.

However, the veteran isn't just an interior rusher, as Campbell still possesses the length and quickness to affect passers from the edge spot, but it's not just his size and physical attributes that allow Campbell to play a versatile brand of football. With nearly two decades of professional football experience, Campbell has played in a wide variety of schemes and against a wide variety of offenses. Lining up at any position across the defensive line shouldn't be difficult for one of the league's most impressive veterans.

Campbell is universally known as one of the best people in the NFL, culminating in his 2019 Walter Payton Man of the Year award. Having a player of his experience in the locker room would help shape this young team as they move forward, especially on the defensive side of the ball. For reference, of the oldest players currently on the Chicago Bears, recently signed Keenan Allen (31) and Kevin Byard (30) are the team's two oldest non-special teams players. Adding veteran leadership has been a goal for the team this offseason, and bringing in Campbell would go a long way for this young defensive unit.