We’ve talked a ton about edge rushers recently. And for good reason. There was so much movement at the position this week, with Trey Hendrickson, Joey Bosa, Harold Landry and Jonathan Allen all made available by release or trade opportunity.

That adds supply to what was a relatively thin position group as the new league year begins. The Bears need a pass rusher or two or three this offseason through a mix of free agents and the NFL draft.

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With free agency coming up, let’s take a look at some ways the Bears could go adding talent at this premium position, both opposite Montez Sweat and in relief of him.

We’ll break things down between luxury assets and more affordable additions, focusing on players the Bears could realistically pursue and afford in the grand scheme of their roster construction and salary cap space.

All that said, such signings shouldn’t preclude the Bears from adding multiple defensive linemen in the draft, both on the interior and exterior. Now on to the free agents that would fit best schematically and financially.

Luxury items

Khalil Mack (Chargers)

Bears fans should be familiar with this fellow. The three-time All-Pro, who had 36 sacks and 14 forced fumbles over four seasons in Chicago, is set for his first-free agency experience. He had six sacks last year but 17 the year before, proving he can still get after it in his 30s.

The Bears acquired Mack in a 2018 blockbuster trade with Oakland. He made one All-Pro team, three Pro Bowls and was second in defensive player of the year voting once while in Chicago. He was traded to the Chargers in 2022, during a true reset year for the Bears in Ryan Poles’ first year.

A reunion seems odd at first, but these are different circumstances. Bears coordinator Dennis Allen was Raiders head coach, and he gushed over Mack’s immense talent. The Bears could pay him heavy freight now but get him off the books before Caleb Williams is due an extension. He could be a frontline player while drafted talent develops behind him, creating enough pass rush to keep offenses honest, and he might be the best edge run defender of his generation. It’s worth going out and bringing Mack back. It’s also possible he stays with the Chargers, especially after Bosa’s release freed up some cap space.

Trey Hendrickson (Bengals)

The Bears would likely have to give up a second-round pick for Trey Hendrickson and then give him a massive contract contract extension. That seems like a lot, but Hendrickson’s as good as they get and has worked with Allen before. A reunion would uplift the entire Bears defensive and make them an instant threat, considering what’s already on the roster in the secondary. If the Bears would consider barely exceeding the three-year extension given to Maxx Crosby and have it be somewhat front loaded, they could break free from the deal before paying Williams.

Josh Sweat (Eagles)

If the Bears are looking to go younger, Sweat is 28 years old, is a good size to fit the Bears front and can create real pressure off the edge. It’s hard to call him an elite player worthy of the money he might get, but he’s an elite athlete and might continue developing as a technician.

The price would have to be right, but a longer-term player might fit what the Bears are looking for on the defensive side.

Affordable options

Chase Young (Saints)

Here’s another Allen connection the Bears should explore, someone who worked with him in New Orleans. Chase Young is a former No. 2 overall pick who has moved around some recently, but he’s only 26 years old and has the physical tools to generate pressure on the quarterback.

Young won’t be cheap but could offer a strong pass rush alongside Mack and Sweat. The Bears pass rush would get a lot stronger in a hurry – though Young and Mack together, plus Sweat, would be fairly expensive for one positions group, allowing the Bears to add interior rushers and run stoppers to the line’s depth. If Mack goes elsewhere, Young plus a highly drafted player could provide some juice on their own.

Dayo Odeyingbo (Colts)

Odeyinbo is a massive human at 6-foot-6 and 286 pounds. And he’s just 25 years old. He doesn’t have tons of sacks (just 3.0 last year, but 8.0 in 2023) but generates a fair amount of pressure. Continued development could help him, especially if paired with veterans along the front. He could be an asset in a rotation and it’ll be interesting to see where his value lies in a market flooded with established veterans.