It's Time for Ryan Poles to Pursue Danielle Hunter

In spite of their considerable salary cap and abundant draft capital—thanks to acquiring the number one overall pick—the Bears still had a long list of areas to address during the offseason. One glaring gap that remains, as fans and media members would readily tell you, is at the defensive end position. The team's decision to sign Demarcus Walker for a hefty sum doesn't seem to adequately plug that hole. What the Bears need is a game-changing presence on the edge.

Though the Bears have made commendable moves at defensive tackle, relying on Trevis Gipson, Dominique Robinson, and Rasheem Greene isn't going to be enough, especially if the team aspires to win a suddenly wide-open division with the departure of quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

They could tap into the free agent pool and pursue a big fish like Yannick Ngakoue, the most enticing name out there. However, one must question the wisdom of granting a multi-year deal to a player who's hopped between four different teams in as many years. Despite his sack production, there's a reason he can't stick with a team for longer than a year.

The better route for the Bears would be to broker a trade, specifically targeting Danielle Hunter, the prized edge rusher from the Minnesota Vikings. While it may seem unlikely that a division rival would trade away one of their top performers, the Vikings have some significant decisions to make regarding key players in the near future.

Justin Jefferson, for instance, is likely to shake up the WR market with his extension. They also invested heavily in T.J. Hockenson and will likely want to secure him. The franchise may also look to extend the contract of their franchise left tackle, Christian Darrisaw. Retaining Hunter, who will turn 29 during the season, might mean sacrificing one of these vital players.

Securing Hunter would provide the Bears with an established pass rusher, boosting their competitiveness over the next few years. Moreover, it wouldn't prevent the Bears from bolstering their edge again in the upcoming draft. Assuming the Bears' interior rush markedly improves with the offseason additions, the inclusion of Hunter could be the final piece that catapults this Bears' defense to new heights.