The Chicago Bears actually were not a bad defensive team this season, finishing 12th in the NFL in yards allowed. However, it remains clear that they could use some upgrades.
ESPN’s Courtney Cronin sees a perfect target for the Bears to help shore up their defensive front this offseason: Miami Dolphins defensive lineman Christian Wilkins.
Wilkins is set to hit free agency this spring and will be one of the top defensive players available. Cronin thinks Wilkins can help Chicago take its improving defense to the next level.
“The missing piece that can take the Bears’ defense from good to elite is a disruptive 3-technique defensive tackle,” Cronin wrote. “Chicago is pleased with Gervon Dexter’s development as a rookie, and while that could be the role he ultimately earns more time in, the Bears’ to-do list in free agency should include testing the market on Kansas City’s Chris Jones, Miami’s Christian Wilkins or Baltimore’s Justin Madubuike.”
The good news for the Bears is that they are slated to have plenty of cap room this offseason, as Spotrac is currently projecting them to have just under $50 million in space.
While Chicago obviously doesn’t have unlimited funds, that should still be more than enough to sign a player like Wilkins, keep cornerback Jaylon Johnson and still make some other moves to better the roster.
Wilkins is coming off of a brilliant campaign with the Dolphins in which he racked up 65 tackles, nine sacks, a forced fumble and a couple of fumble recoveries.
Known for his run-stopping prowess, Wilkins displayed some impressive pass-rushing chops this year, which is something the sack-starved Bears need (they totaled just 30 sacks in 2023).
The 28-year-old, who played his collegiate football at Clemson, was selected by Miami with the 13th overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft.
While he has never made a Pro Bowl, Wilkins has been a steady fixture along the Dolphins’ defensive front ever since he was drafted. He has missed just two games in his career, both of which came back in 2020.
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