What Dylan Cole brings to Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears signed another linebacker in free agency. This one is not as big of a name as Tremaine Edmunds, but the team did add more experience when they signed linebacker Dylan Cole, formerly of the Tennessee Titans.

Chicago Bears sign Dylan Cole in free agency

Dylan Cole had been in the NFL since 2017, but last season was the most he had ever played on defense. He logged 439 snaps in total, with 270 coming on passing downs, and 169 on run downs. He had 23 run stops and gave up 284 yards in coverage.

As shown in his stats, he was used as more of a WILL and a passing-down player. He is a bit smaller in the box, and that can hinder him, although he does bring energy in the run game. Considering he had 527 snaps in five seasons entering the 2022 campaign, it is clear that he earned is money on special teams.

Dylan Cole has been an ace on special teams since day one. He had 225 snaps, and played five of the six phases. He has remained a five-phase special teams player, with field goal kicks being the only unit he does not work with.

In 2021, Cole had a 90.5 PFF grade in special teams, and that number only dropped to 83.3 last season. Needless to say, this is where he will earn his money.

By all accounts, he would be the backup at the WILL and would be behind T.J. Edwards. Tremaine Edmunds is at the MIKE and Jack Sanborn is at the SAM. Last season Sterling Weatherford was the backup at MIKE and he played special teams as well, so that role should stay. Lastly, is DeMarquis Gates who spent most of the year on the practice squad, but looks to be a perfect backup SAM.

So, the linebacker room appears to be set. They may add a UDFA, and a training camp tryout player or two, but the six linebackers who make the 53-man roster should be:

MIKE: Tremaine Edmunds, Sterling Weatherford

WILL: T.J. Edwards, Dylan Cole

SAM: Jack Sanborn, DeMarquis Gates