The Chicago Bears, once renowned for their strong defense, appear to be returning to their roots. By the end of last season, they were living up to their old “Monsters of the Midway” moniker, becoming one of the league’s top defensive teams in the latter half. This resurgence was significantly aided by the trade acquisition of defensive end Montez Sweat from the Washington Commanders and head coach Matt Eberflus taking over defensive play-calling duties.
Jump to early 2024, and the Bears have shifted their focus significantly toward offense. They made headlines with their first overall draft pick, USC quarterback Caleb Williams, who has drawn comparisons to Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes. Additionally, they drafted wide receiver Rome Odunze in the first round, traded for star wide receiver Keenan Allen, and signed running back D’Andre Swift, among other offensive moves. They also overhauled their offensive coaching staff to address what had been a wildly inconsistent and often disastrous offensive effort.
Despite these offensive upgrades, the Bears still have defensive gaps to fill, particularly in edge rushing, linebacker depth, and defensive line presence. One potential addition is linebacker Shaquille Leonard, a six-year veteran and three-time Pro Bowler, who became a free agent after a trade from the Indianapolis Colts to the Philadelphia Eagles late last season. Leonard has a connection with Eberflus, who was the Colts’ defensive coordinator when Leonard had his best seasons, making Chicago a likely destination for him.
However, there’s a caveat: Leonard’s performance has been impacted by a back injury and surgery that sidelined him for most of the 2022 season, and he is now considered a role player rather than an every-down linebacker. Still, his ability to rush the passer, intercept passes, and force fumbles remain valuable, and if the price is right, he could provide crucial depth for the Bears as they aim for a playoff run.
