The market for pass rushers entering NFL free agency seemed fairly thin coming out of the NFL Scouting Combine, with Josh Sweat and an older Khalil Mack as the top options hitting the open market.

That would surely impact the Bears, in desperate need of both quality and depth off the edge especially.

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Then this week happened. Everything, it seems, has changed.

Five-time Pro Bowler Joey Bosa got released. Then the Bengals gave Trey Hendrickson permission to seek a trade (and certainly a contract extension). The Commanders put Jonathan Allen on the trade block and then cut him Friday. The Titans cut Harold Landry as this story was being written.

While Allen plays inside, he’s a do-everything player and an excellent pass rusher.

So, overall, the market got flooded with star power that will demand higher salaries. Fans are surely intrigued by the thought of the names mentioned above rushing the passer with Montez Sweat.

There’s also deep NFL draft class of defensive linemen available to a team with three selections in the top 41.

Chicago’s pass-rusher needs were always placed behind glaring issues along the interior line, but the Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney trades have flipped that upside down. They still have issues a center and could spend on Drew Dalman or Ryan Kelly there, but there’s $48 million in salary cap space remaining, per OverTheCap,

Ryan Poles and Ben Johnson have an opportunity to make a splash play at pass rusher while still devoting some draft capital to the position.

While the Bears have been aggressive to this point, is there a line that shouldn’t be crossed. It might cost a second-round pick and a smaller asset to wrench Hendrickson from Cincinnati, but then you might have to rest the pass-rusher market that Maxx Crosby just established as the highest paid non-quarterback.

That’s a lot, considering Montez Sweat has roughly $25 million cap numbers in each of the remaining three years on his contract. That’s a lot for one position group, but Hendrickson has a history with Bears coordinator Dennis Allen when they worked together in New Orleans. That could be a plus, even though Hendrickson left in free agency.

Allen is an interesting option even with Gervon Dexter on the roster, but his established market must be assessed.

Bosa has been hurt a ton and might be earmarked for San Francisco and a reunion with his brother Nick after their days together at Ohio State.

Landry’s interesting option. Though his 250-pound frame might not match an ideal Allen front, it’s yet another established veteran who could help a team that could be dynamic with the right offseason additions.

Another question the open market will settle – might prices for Josh Sweat, Mack or ever Chase Young go down due to increased supply, or will the league simply be spending tons on pass rushers?

That’ll be a fascinating revelation we’ll figure out when the league year opens Wednesday afternoon, possibly before. Another point best illustrated by the 49ers’ Javon Hargrave experience. Sometimes, the best free-agent deals are those a team doesn’t make. And, if you’re going to swing big, you best not miss.

“I think the clearer the vision the more aggressive you can be,” Poles said last week at the combine. “That’s important. You want to be selective in free agency because historically if you look at it you can learn from that. But if there are certain players that hit all the check boxes you need, there is really no reason to hold back if you feel like you can be in those situations.”

The Bears were aggressive in changing their offensive line into a team strength. They could do the same along the defensive front, with a high-priced, option and some deft depth moves in free agency and the draft.

There are more Bears needs than many think, so they can’t spend tons in spot, though the cap can be manipulated in a way that everything should be considered possible as the Bears look to compete in Johnson’s first season.