Anticipate a Resurgence: Chicago Bears Defensive End Poised for a Stellar Comeback Season
There's no denying that the Chicago Bears' defensive line is in dire need of improvement. Last season witnessed one of the worst performances by a defensive line in NFL history. The team's lackluster 20 total sacks (the lowest in the league) is exemplified by the fact that the sack leader wasn't even a member of the defensive line. Safety Jaquan Brisker surprisingly led the team with four sacks, while the entire defensive line contributed just 10.5 sacks throughout the season. Such a dismal record is undoubtedly unacceptable.
Heading into 2023, there haven't been any high-profile signings to bolster the Bears' defensive line. New additions include Andrew Billings, DeMarcus Walker, Rasheem Green, and Jalyn Holmes. However, it's questionable whether any of these signings elicit excitement from a pass-rushing perspective. Nevertheless, GM Ryan Poles addressed the defensive line in the 2023 NFL Draft, selecting three promising linemen in Gervon Dexter, Zacch Pickens, and Travis Bell. Additionally, the team signed undrafted free agent D'Anthony Jones.
Considering the current roster, the question arises: Where will the Chicago Bears find additional sacks in 2023? Early projections indicate that the starting defensive linemen will likely be Trevis Gipson, Justin Jones, Andrew Billings, and DeMarcus Walker. However, it wouldn't be surprising if Gervon Dexter outperforms Justin Jones for the top spot. Meanwhile, the rotational players include Zacch Pickens, Dominque Robinson, and Rasheem Green.
Even if the Bears were to add a defensive end like Yannick Ngakoue or Justin Houston, it's highly probable that Trevis Gipson will retain his starting position. One statistic offers hope for Gipson's resurgence in 2023.
Gipson's potential for a bounce-back season stems from multiple factors. Firstly, he transitions from a 3-4 outside linebacker role to a 4-3 defensive end role, which should enhance his productivity in his second year. While it would be preferable for the Bears to enter the season with an upgraded defensive front, the addition of Andrew Billings at the 1-technique position already provides a notable improvement. Billings' presence should alleviate double teams on other players. Furthermore, the expectations surrounding Gervon Dexter's performance suggest that he, too, can draw attention away from Gipson. Notably, Trevis Gipson faced the fifth-highest number of double teams in the NFL last year, according to ESPN Next Gen Stats.
While Gipson may not be on par with elite pass rushers like Aiden Hutchinson or Myles Garrett, the fact that he encountered the fifth-most double teams should not be overlooked. With fewer double teams expected in 2023, Gipson has a strong chance of bouncing back to a level closer to his 2021 season, where he recorded seven sacks. Additionally, the presence of reinforcements on the opposite side would only amplify Gipson's impact. It's important for the Chicago Bears to explore potential additions through free agency, but there is reason to be optimistic about the current roster's prospects.
| POLL | ||
30 MAI | 58 ANSWERS Anticipate a Resurgence: Chicago Bears Defensive End Poised for a Stellar Comeback Season Will Trevis Gipson lead the Bears in Sacks? | ||
| Yes | 23 | 39.7 % |
| No | 35 | 60.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
