Defensive end DeMarcus Walker Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com / USA TODAY NETWORK

Chicago Bears make move to bolster defensive line

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Jordan Sigler | Last updated 3/14/23

The Chicago Bears land a defensive end

The Chicago Bears are set to sign a handful of impactful players on Wednesday. The top signing through Monday evening has been two-time Pro Bowl linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, who was stellar with the Buffalo Bills. The Bears also added big-time help in the trenches Monday evening after watching some top defensive tackles land with other teams.

According to Mike Garafolo with the NFL Network, the Bears are set to sign Tennessee Titans defensive end DeMarcus Walker on Wednesday.

The #Bears' big spending day continues. They've agreed to a deal with former #Titans DE DeMarcus Walker, per his agents @NessMugrabi, @brian_mcintyre and @davidcanter. Following a 7-sack breakout season, Walker gets over $7 million per year over the next two years.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 14, 2023

The 28-year-old defensive end had a stellar season with the Titans. According to Pro Football Focus, Walker recorded eight sacks and 16 hurries in 2022. Walker had 21 stops and 20 total tackles.

He was graded 72.8 overall for his play last season. Walker received higher grades (in the 80s) from PFF for his first two seasons in the NFL when he was with the Denver Broncos. However, Walker recorded his most sacks in 2022. His second-highest sack season was in 2020, when he recorded five. PFF had Walker as the 131st best free agent this offseason.

Walker would not fit the top-tier defensive end help role like Will Anderson would have been via the draft, or Khalil Mack was for the Bears. But Walker will act as a solid depth piece until the Bears can either sign an elite pass rusher or develop one following the draft.

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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