Chicago Bears Eye Jadeveon Clowney to Bolster Defensive Edge
The Chicago Bears have been making waves this offseason, diving headfirst into free agency with some strategic moves. Their latest focus?
Fortifying the trenches. With the addition of Neville Gallimore and Kentavius Street, the Bears have shored up the middle of their defensive line.
But there's still a glaring need on the edge.
Montez Sweat, fresh off a season where he led the team with 10 sacks, returns as a cornerstone of the Bears' pass rush. However, he can't do it alone. The rest of the edge rushers combined for a mere eight sacks, relying heavily on the secondary's ability to create turnovers.
As the first wave of free agency wraps up, the Bears are on the hunt for an impactful edge player. Enter Jadeveon Clowney.
At 33, Clowney's recent stint with the Dallas Cowboys proved he's still got plenty left in the tank. Over 13 games, he racked up 41 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and 8.5 sacks.
His 40 pressures and a 16.7% win rate on pass-rushing snaps, according to Pro Football Focus, underscore his value.
Clowney's win rate would have topped the Bears' charts last season, surpassing Sweat's 13.5%. Only Dominique Robinson managed to clear a 10% win rate, with Austin Booker and Dayo Odeyingbo trailing behind.
Bringing Clowney into the fold could be a savvy short-term move. While Sweat anchors the line, Booker might thrive in a rotational role, especially after Robinson's departure to the Houston Texans.
Signing Clowney doesn't just patch a hole; it offers flexibility for the future. The Bears could still target an edge rusher in the upcoming draft.
Prospects like Clemson's Peter Woods, T.J. Parker, Texas A&M's Cashius Howell, or Missouri's Zion Young might be on the board when the Bears make their pick.
With Odeyingbo on the mend from a torn Achilles, the Bears need both immediate and future solutions for their pass rush. While the draft could provide a long-term answer, Clowney could be the key piece in defending their division title in 2026.