Our Bill Zimmerman recently discussed rumors that the Bears are expected to make a “big splash” on the defensive line. Well, what could be that big splash? Here are some candidates who could be had either by trade or in free agency:
Maxx Crosby (Las Vegas Raiders): This would be the biggest of big splashes for sure. While Crosby is rumored to be very unhappy with the Raiders organization, is he unhappy enough to demand a trade – and would the Raiders trade him?
Advertisement
Trey Hendrickson (Free Agent): Hendrickson missed over half the season and had to have surgery, but prior to that, he led the league in sacks for two straight seasons. And Hendrickson only costs money.
Jeffrey Simmons (Tennessee Titans): Simmons remains one of the best defensive tackles in football, but he is 28 years old and may not be around for when the Titans are finally competing. He would come with a heavy price tag, but there is probably no more on the defensive line the Bears could make that would be a force multiplier for the defensive line.
John Franklin-Myers (Free Agent). Franklin-Myers had a good season on a great defense for the Broncos this past year, but he is set to be an unrestricted free agent. He would make an immediate impact on the Bears’ run defense – and boy, do they need it, considering they were one of the worst run-stopping teams in all of football last season.
Kenny Clark (Dallas Cowboys): Clark was moved by the Packers in the Micah Parsons trade, and he had a solid season for the Cowboys. He’s 30 years old, however, and the Cowboys traded for Quinan Williams of the New York Jets, so perhaps they’d consider moving Clark for modest draft capital.
Advertisement
Daron Payne (Washington Commanders): Payne was rumored to be a Bears target a few years ago, and this would reunite him with Montez Sweat. However, Payne’s play has declined significantly. It isn’t clear how much he has left. Then again, the Bears could likely get him for a 6th round pick.
Sheldon Rankins (Free Agent): Rankins is long in the tooth, but he is still a pretty good run defender. He is a potential cheap option the Bears could add.
Who do you think will be the big splash on the defensive line for the Bears this offseason?
