The Chicago Bears are slated to have a whole lot of cap room this offseason, meaning they could be major players in the free-agent market.

Does that mean they could end up landing one of the biggest defensive stars on the market? ESPN’s Courtney Cronin thinks so.

Cronin thinks that the Bears should pursue Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones this spring.

“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 a 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 Bears solidified their edge rusher position with Montez Sweat during the season, and now they need to find a disruptive interior pass-rusher to complete the defense.”

Jones was unable to reach a long-term agreement with the Chiefs prior to the season, ultimately signing a one-year deal with the club after holding out of Week 1.

He put together yet another fantastic campaign, finishing with 30 tackles, 10.5 sacks and four passes defended en route to his fifth straight Pro Bowl selection.

Jones, who played his collegiate football at Mississippi State, was selected by Kansas City in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

He finished third in Defensive Player of the Year voting last year after racking up 44 tackles and 15.5 sacks.

Jones will surely receive a massive contract this offseason, and the Bears may be just the team that would feel comfortable giving it to him.

Chicago’s young defense is improving, but it could still stand to use a presence like Jones in its trenches.

The Bears went 7-10 this season.

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