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

Teair Tart

The 2023 season was likely not Teair Tart's favorite as a professional. After signing with the Tennesee Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2020, Tart worked to become a consistent contributor across the team's defensive line before being released halfway through last season. Tart was eventually claimed by the Houston Texans, but he still hit the open market this offseason and remains an unrestricted free agent.

Despite being released last season, Tart has an impressive resume for any player, let alone an undrafted one. Tart was a rotational player over his first two seasons before finally becoming a starter in 2022 where he served as the team's full-time nose tackle. In 16 games that season Tart recorded five tackles for loss and 34 total tackles as well as 1.5 sacks and an impressive six passes defended. His breakout season also featured an interception.

Last season Tart was similarly productive before his release, but he made only two appearances for the Texans. Any team signing Tart is doing so hoping that he can return to his 2023 production, even if it has to come in a more reserved role. The Chicago Bears already have a strong nose tackle in Andrew Billings, but adding another physical run-stopper like Tart would be beneficial for a variety of different situations. Even if he were a "backup" in Chicago, Tart would almost certainly be a frequent defender on goalline/short-yardage situations.

Tart would be the newest former Titan to join the Chicago Bears under Ryan Poles alongside the likes of Byard, Nate Davis, Khari Blasingame, and others. For whatever reason, these players seem to match the cultural identity that Poles is trying to implement and foster, and Tart could be the next player in line to help mature this team and this defense.

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