The Bears passed on big-ticket defensive line additions in free agency, but the organization will add another rotational option to Matt Eberflus‘ unit. Rasheem Green agreed to terms with Chicago on Thursday, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.
A former Seahawks and Texans pass rusher, Green will sign a one-year deal. The sixth-year edge rusher will follow DeMarcus Walker to the Windy City. While the Bears should be expected to use one of their early-round picks on a sack artist, they added two experienced options since free agency’s outset.
Green will come over from Houston, where he recorded 3.5 sacks in 2022. His most productive year came in 2021 with the Seahawks, who used the former third-round pick as a starter. That season, Green totaled 6.5 sacks and 15 quarterback hits. That campaign marks the only time Green started more than five games in a season; mostly, Seattle used the 6-foot-4 defender as a backup. Green, however, has topped a 50% defensive snap rate in each of his past four seasons. The Bears will see if the USC alumnus, who played in a 4-3 scheme as a Seahawk, can replicate that form in Eberflus’ 4-3 setup.
Last season brought a step back for Green, who played nearly 300 fewer defensive snaps compared to his 2021 Seattle contract year, when he logged 846. Green totaled 24 pressures in 2021; he finished last season with 12. The Texans have now let Green and Obo Okoronkwo depart in free agency, lining DeMeco Ryans‘ team up for significant edge additions in the draft. Okoronkwo signed with the Browns.
Going into his age-26 season, Green will join Walker as modest investments for a Bears team that broke up its high-priced Khalil Mack–Robert Quinn edge duo last year. The team finished last in the league in sacks in 2022. As should be expected, edge-rushing additions will be targeted. Green appears more of a flier than a solidified front-four presence, but he presents an interesting depth option for the rebuilding squad.
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