Will the Bears Add Another EDGE? We Identify Four Potential Candidates

Given the lack of depth at the position, here are four 'plug n play' options the Bears could take a hard look at.

Jadeveon Clowney

Dec 1, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (7) during the second half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

The Carolina Panthers released the former number one overall pick earlier this month. Clowney (32) has bounced around the league and will be on his fourth team in four seasons. The Panthers are obviously still a few seasons away from contending and would rather have the $8 million in cap savings over the 5.5 sacks he delivered in 2024. Clowney would likely cost the Bears between $10 and $11 million as a one-year rental, requiring some creativity from General Manager Ryan Poles. 

Matt Judon

During the 2024 offseason, Poles tried to acquire New England Patriots star Matthew Judon before ultimately backing off when an extension could not be worked out. Judon (32) was dealt to the Atlanta Falcons as a one-year rental. As a starter for the first nine games of the season, Judon only totaled 1.5 sacks and three quarterback hits, leading to his lack of playing time for the remaining games of the season. Poles has been known to fall 'in like' with players whom he has failed to attain in the past (See Bates, Ryan). Will he hold Judon's lack of production against him? Or will he chalk it up to a poor scheme fit? Judon's price tag would be more reasonable than Clowney's, making him a more appealing one-year option.

Za'Darius Smith

Detroit Lions defensive end Za'Darius Smith (99) celebrates a sack against Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14) during the first half at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025.

Smith (32) started the 2024 season with the Cleveland Browns before getting traded to the Detroit Lions to help boost their line after the season-ending injury to Aidan Hutchinson. With Hutchinson expected to make a full recovery, Smith and his $11 million contract became a cap casualty, and he finds himself on the open market. While he's not the player he once was, Smith still tallied four sacks and 15 tackles in eight games for the Lions. With the Bears being the only team in the NFC North that Smith has yet to play for, he certainly has familiarity with the division and has spent some time around Head Coach Ben Johnson. If the price is right, this could be a signing that makes sense.

Trey Hendrickson

Hendrickson (30) has been a frequent target in Bears trade talks leading up to the offseason until the draft. He recorded a career-high 36 quarterback hits and earned Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro honors in 2024. The Cincinnati Bengals superstar is looking for a new contract and has formally requested a trade while the two sides work things out. Let's check in to see how that's going.

If no long-term deal is agreed upon, the Bengals might move on from their best defensive player. While Hendrickson will have no shortage of suitors, the Bears should poke around and see the asking price, as players of this caliber are almost never on the market. This move checks all the boxes in terms of need, value, cap space, and even his familiarity with the defensive scheme. 

Hendrickson shared time with new Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen during their days with the New Orleans Saints. If the Bears were to make a move like this, you would have to imagine a lofty extension is coming shortly after. Would the Bears feel comfortable tying up that much money in the EDGE position after they recently signed Montez Sweat to a 4-year, $98 mil deal? One thing is for sure: if Poles can pull this off, the Bears are a team that could make some serious noise in the 2025 season.