This is nothing earth-shattering. In fact, it's been a lingering issue for a while now. Even after the Chicago Bears traded for Montez Sweat, the defensive end position has been at the top of fans' wish list.
And now, the depth chart still looks lackluster beyond Sweat. This is an issue that could create a pain point that goes beyond simple fan worry at training camp. The Bears need help in the pass rush department, point-blank period.
Beyond Sweat, the Bears have also added Dayo Odeyingbo via free agency. Despite giving him a bag of money, though, some wonder whether or not Odeyingbo is going to pan out as a sufficient starter next to Sweat. Time will tell, but the rest of the depth chart looks bleak.
Ryan Poles has to go add another pass rusher before training camp to be fair to the rest of the defense
Chicago is talented at all levels of the defense. Adding Grady Jarrett on the interior of the line while also boasting Andrew Billings and Gervon Dexter gives Chicago a nice trio of havoc waiting to happen, there.
Jaylon Johnson stars in the secondary where a healthy Jaquan Brisker could make some noise alongside the likes of Kevin Byard and a hopefully-rejuvenated Tyrique Stevenson.
Linebacker is no where near a question between TJ Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds.
Sweat is the only sure thing at edge, though. Behind Odeyingbo, the Bears have Austin Booker, Daniel Hardy and Dominique Robinson. Booker looked like a steal at first, but has yet to truly break out. Hardy is a fine rotational player. Robinson is cuttable.
If Poles were to find help by way of a veteran free agent, that is one avenue which could work. We've talked about this extensively, too. Za'Darius Smith, Matt Judon or Jadeveon Clowney would all help.
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It doesn't matter the route, at this point. Poles has to leave no stone unturned, or the defense is going to be without a legitimate pass rush.
Could the reserves surprise us? Sure, they could. But, then we'd fall into the same training camp hype all fan bases succumb to (and don't worry, there's plenty of that on the way regardless). But, for the Bears to have a real pass rush, they have to add more talent. There's no way around it.