REPORT: Chicago Bears Add Much-Needed Pass Rush Help

The Chicago Bears need lots of help on a defensive line that was among the weakest in the NFL last season, both rushing the passer and against the run. Thus far they’ve done well addressing those issues. DeMarcus Walker arrived from Tennessee with his solid mix of interior rush skill and edge run defense. Andrew Billings is one of the better nose tackles in the league. He came in from Las Vegas. Now the Bears have added more in the form of Rasheem Green. The former 3rd round pick played for Lovie Smith and the Houston Texans last year, collecting 3.5 sacks and eight QB hits as a rotational lineman. His bigger size (6’4, 275 lbs) and long frame fit exactly what Matt Eberflus looks for.

Nobody will confuse Green for the next Nick Bosa. He is a solid rotational player that can give you meaningful snaps each week. His size and athleticism offer versatility to play both inside and outside. Those are traits this coaching staff covets in their defensive linemen. Think Denico Autry back when Eberflus was with the Indianapolis Colts. Green isn’t a game-changer, but he makes the Bears front four a little deeper and a little more flexible. That is a good thing, given the cheaper price they paid to get him.

The Chicago Bears will still seek help in the draft.

Adding Green does nothing to change that. They still lack anybody that has the capability to give them 8-10 sacks per year. Part of a successful 4-3 defensive front is having enough bodies to throw at opponents in waves. It’s a big reason why the Philadelphia Eagles had so much success last year. They had waves of linemen capable of generating pressure. Eberflus wants to get there but it takes time. Green is merely another small step in the right direction. The good news is he’s still only 25 years old.

There is lots of untapped potential left to explore. Draft experts saw him as another Carlos Dunlap. He came out of school too soon, lacking proper technique or strength. It would take time for him to put everything together. The past two years have shown lots of progress with ten sacks, 23 QB hits, and over 60 pressures. It will be interesting to see what this coaching staff can get out of him.