Ryan Poles Speaks Out on Bears' Strategy for Acquiring a Pass Rusher
The Bears made waves in the draft by using their second and fourth picks on a position often deemed crucial to their defensive strategy.
Notably, they also focused on the same position during last year's first free-agent signing.
However, it remains unclear if the Bears have adequately addressed this vital position within their defensive scheme.
We're talking about the three-technique here - the defensive tackle that lines up in the "B" gap between the guard and tackle, just off the guard's outside shoulder.
Bears GM Ryan Poles had to justify not selecting a defensive end in the draft or signing a high-profile edge rusher in free agency when the funds were available. Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus attributed their decisions to the team's defensive strategy. They aim to create an interior rush that "dents" the pocket and pressures the quarterback, with the three-technique playing a pivotal role.
While it's an overstatement to say the Bears had an epiphany last year during their Week 4 game against the Giants in New Jersey, the importance of a strong interior rush was certainly reinforced. With a 2-1 record, the Bears witnessed Dexter Lawrence wreak havoc on their offensive line's interior. Lawrence's impact has been instrumental in Azeez Ojulari racking up 13.5 sacks in just 18 games for the Giants. For the Bears to succeed without dominant edge rushers, their three technique must emulate Lawrence's ability to flush out the QB.
The Bears drafted Zacch Pickens from South Carolina and Gervon Dexter from Florida as potential three technique candidates, joining the existing Justin Jones. The hope is that these three players can replicate what DeForest Buckner achieved for the Colts when Eberflus served as their defensive coordinator. Aside from signing former Tennessee Titans defensive end DeMarcus Walker, the Bears have remained relatively quiet in free agency. Over the NFL Draft weekend, Chicago selected 10 new players, but none are edge rushers. This decision raises eyebrows, given that the Bears ranked last in the league in 2022, with a mere 20 sacks throughout the season.
Here is what Ryan Poles had to say on the subject:
As seen at: Ryan Poles Breaks Silence on Bears' Plans to Add Pass Rusher
| POLL | ||
2 MAI | 67 ANSWERS Ryan Poles Speaks Out on Bears' Strategy for Acquiring a Pass Rusher Do the Bears need to bring in more pass rushers via fee agency? | ||
| Yes | 54 | 80.6 % |
| No | 13 | 19.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
