Chicago Bears Free Agent Target: William Gholston, DE
The Chicago Bears need to find help along the outside of the defensive line. The team is lacking pass rushers on the edge. Ryan Poles has made it known that they are considering adding help via free agency or by even making a trade. Most fans are expecting a splash signing like Frank Clark, Justin Houston or Yannick Ngakoue. Any of those three would be a major upgrade, but we have seen enough from Poles to know he is more likely to sign players we are not expecting. This is where William Gholston steps in.
William Gholston was selected in the fourth round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He has played his entire career in Tampa Bay and has been a very solid player. Gholston is also a major presence off the field and would fit in nicely here in Chicago. Last year, he was a Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year nominee.
Bringing in a player like Gholston might not make sense. He has never had more than 4.5 sacks in one season Last year, he didn't come away with any. However, he has a connection to two defensive coaches -- Jon Hoke and Dave Borgonzi -- who both coached in Tampa Bay while Gholston was playing. He's going to be 32 years old, but the experience he brings makes him worth a camp body spot at least.