Analyzing the Bears Defensive Ends, Post-Hibernation

With the Chicago Bears' mandatory minicamp completed and training camp right around the corner, it's time to start familiarizing yourself with the team's roster. This year, I've chosen to break this down as individual articles for each position group. Look out for two positional previews per week, paired with podcast episodes available on Apple , Spotify , and live-streamed on YouTube !

• Running Backs
• Wide Receivers
• Tight Ends
• Offensive Line
• Quarterback
• Defensive Tackle

Chicago Bears Defensive Ends

Montez Sweat

The Tez effect was real for the Bears in 2023. After acquiring Montez Sweat from the Washington Commanders at the trade deadline, the Bears' defense ranked fifth in EPA per play, fourth in EPA per dropback, and 10th in EPA per rush. They did play a rag-tag group of quarterbacks over the final nine games of the season, but the results were impressive regardless.

The Bears handed Sweat a new contract, totaling $98 million over four years. While Sweat is already 28 years old, he's only missed six games in his career, all of which came in the same season. Health hasn't been an issue for him, historically. With his size, length, power, and play style, Sweat profiles as a player who should age gracefully.

Sweat uses immense length to eat up blockers with superior hand positioning, finishing with power more often than finesse. He doesn't generate quick pressure like bendier pass rushers, but his presence is consistently felt. Whether it's a passing down or a rushing down, Sweat makes a significant impact on the Bears' defense. He's a multiplier who can steal gaps in the run game and win consistently as a pass rusher.

Statistically, last season was a bit of an outlier for Sweat, generating 12.5 sacks . Previously, he had never generated double-digit sacks. Maybe that was boosted by the ability to be the team's top pass-rush threat. Playing across from Chase Young in Washington, his role may have been somewhat limited. But it'd be wise to temper expectations slightly for 2024, as his 12.5-sack performance may not be the norm.

DeMarcus Walker

In DeMarcus Walker, the Bears have a quality EDGE rusher with versatility to play a base end role or kick inside to defensive tackle on passing downs. In fact, many of his pass-rush wins came from the interior alignment. The best way to describe Walker is as an energizer bunny who will play through lighter offensive tackles. He's relentless in his pursuit with a motor that doesn't quit.

Walker's power makes him a quality base end who can set a strong edge against the run. However, his player archetype does limit his upside as a pass rusher from the outer alignments. Walker lacks the ideal bend and speed to win the corner on NFL offensive tackles. He has some moves at his disposal to be more of a factor than other players of similar abilities, but it does put a cap on his production.

Ultimately, I see Walker's ideal role as being the third defensive end on the roster. He'd be best served rotating between the three-technique and base end spots, depending on down and distance. On this Bears roster, I expect him to see more snaps on the outside than would be ideal. But that's something the team can work with so long as Sweat stays healthy across from him.

Jacob Martin

Jacob Martin wasn't the sexy defensive end addition many Bears fans were looking for. But he's a proven pass rusher in this league who offers the speed and bend the Bears otherwise lack. Over the last two seasons, Martin has played 453 snaps while generating a 14.9% pressure rate and a 1.9% sack rate. Throughout his career, he's been an average to above-average pass rusher on limited opportunities.

Martin did generate more opportunities in 2021 with Houston, but his efficiency fell. This is a pass-rush specialist who belongs in a specialist role. When inserted in a wide alignment on passing downs, he can generate pressure. But when tasked with playing in a larger variety of alignments with more reads and checks, his pass-rush efficiency falters

Other Defensive Ends

What about Austin Booker ? He was a steal ! Should've been a top-75 pick! I don't want to be the one to put out anybody's passion for Booker's pro prospects. I like him as a prospect and think he has a future in this league. Booker brings solid athleticism, good size, and quality bend to the position. But history tells us that players who fall in the draft tend to produce closer to their draft slot than their projected draft slot. So until I see more reason to believe that Booker will be different, I can't put my full faith in him being a difference-maker.

Last season, Dominique Robinson played 23% of the snaps for the Bears defense. He was one of the worst EDGE defenders in the league, statistically. On tape, he didn't make a difference very often. Reports out of OTAs indicated that Robinson added some serious weight this offseason. Maybe there's something more there with the added mass, but I need to see it to believe it.

Then there's Khalid Kareem , the former Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals player who has amassed 511 snaps in four NFL seasons. I have low expectations for Kareem and don't see him as much more than end-of-the-roster depth. He's always had some potential in a scheme like this, with good mass and excellent length to be a base end. But nothing Kareem has done to this point in his career gives me confidence he'll produce more than he has historically.

Ultimately, the Bears could use an addition to their defensive end room. If everything goes right and everyone stays healthy, this position group should be sufficient to complement the Bears' strong back seven. But Chicago is one injury away from being in trouble unless Booker proves to be a difference-maker as a rookie. An addition like Emmanuel Ogbah could make a lot of sense for the Bears' roster. He's similar to Demarcus Walker, providing much-needed flexibility and depth for the entire defensive line.

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