Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Alyssa Barbieri

Bears’ Matt Eberflus wants to add another pass rusher with Montez Sweat

The Chicago Bears are a young team on the rise, and there are plenty of reasons to be excited about their trajectory ahead of the 2024 NFL season.

Not only are they set to welcome young phenom Caleb Williams to the fray, along with a slew of dynamic weapons, but the defense is looking to build off an impressive conclusion to the 2023 season.

They have an ascending secondary that returns All-Pro cornerback Jaylon Johnson and other young talent, including Kyler Gordon, Tyrique Stevenson and Jaquan Brisker. They also have a star edge rusher in Pro Bowler Montez Sweat and a dominant linebacker tandem with T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds.

For Eberflus, the last piece missing on his defense is that dynamic pass rush duo that can affect the quarterback. While Chicago traded for Sweat, who had an immediate impact on defense, last year, they’re still looking for a complement. And Eberflus made it clear that he wants to add a playmaking pass rusher to make the defensive front dominant.

“It’s important that we get that piece because you have to have the 1-2 punch,” Eberflus said, via ChicagoBears.com. “It can be inside as well. You look at who affects the quarterback the most, I would also argue that the inside piece is also something that we should be looking at, and it’s important that we do that. Direct line to the quarterback. When they max protect, it’s a soft spot in the protection. We’re looking at all pass rushers. It can be inside, outside, all along the line. We’re having an open mind in that regard.”

At this point, most mock drafts have the Bears going wide receiver with that ninth overall selection. But, listening to Eberflus talk about the importance of adding a playmaker to affect the quarterback, you have to believe pass rusher is certainly in play. Whether that’s at No. 9 (Dallas Turner, Jared Verse, Laiatu Latu) or in a trade-back scenario (Chop Robinson, Darius Robinson).

Follow The Bears Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.