The imminent commencement of the 2024 NFL free agency period has sparked anticipation, particularly surrounding the Chicago Bears, who are widely expected to make significant moves.
ESPN’s senior national reporter Jeremy Fowler recently hinted at the possibility of the Bears pursuing Minnesota Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter, adding to the buzz around Chicago’s potential activity in the free-agent market alongside teams like the Jacksonville Jaguars.
“The sense I get here in Vegas is that Danielle Hunter will be hard for the Vikings to keep. He will have a very strong market, he turned 29 in October, and several teams had interest at the trade deadline. Chicago could look to add a pass-rusher to complement Montez Sweat in free agency and is very high on Hunter. The Jacksonville Jaguars are another team to watch, though they have to figure out Josh Allen’s future.”
For Bears general manager Ryan Poles, securing Hunter would be a major coup. With ample cap space amounting to $46.9 million, as reported by OverTheCap, the Bears are poised to be players in the upcoming free agency frenzy set to kick off on March 13th.
Hunter’s standout performance in the 2023 season, which saw him tallying 16.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, 22 QB hits, and 23 tackles for loss, makes him an enticing target for Chicago. His dominance on the field far surpasses the Bears’ leading pass rusher from the previous season, Montez Sweat, who recorded 6.0 sacks in nine games after joining the team via trade.
Speaking of Sweat, the Bears recently locked him in with a lucrative four-year extension worth $98 million, showcasing their commitment to bolstering their defensive line. Pairing Hunter with Sweat would create an intimidating pass-rushing tandem, arguably the most formidable in the league.
The prospect of Hunter and Sweat wreaking havoc on opposing quarterbacks should excite not only the Bears’ front office but also head coach Matt Eberflus and defensive coordinator Eric Washington.
Landing Hunter would not only signify the Chicago Bears’ aggressive approach to free agency but also send a clear message to other teams that they mean business this offseason.
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