Bears free agent pitch lands former $42 million Lions edge rusher

The Chicago Bears have a glaring need at edge rusher. Though the team has two fantastic starters at the position in Montez Sweat and Dayo Odeyingbo, the position group lacks reliable depth, and that must change.

Chicago will likely have to hit the free agency market to fill the need, and Windy City Gridiron's Aaron Leming believes general manager Ryan Poles could target former Detroit Lions edge rusher Za'Darius Smith.

"Za’Darius Smith might be the “cream of the crop” of this group, which could also mean he is likely to be the most expensive. The 32-year-old continues to produce as a pass rusher, despite getting up there in age. Here’s a fun fact: The only NFC North team he hasn’t played for is Chicago," Leming wrote.

Smith was released by the Lions ahead of free agency, but the 32-year-old still has a lot left in the tank. The three-time Pro Bowler was traded to Detroit from the Cleveland Browns during last year's trade deadline and revived the team's pass rush after Aidan Hutchinson went down with a season-ending injury.

Adding Smith to the pass rush would be a fantastic post-draft move from the Bears. The veteran would serve as a high-level rotational edge rusher and bring some juice to the defense. Smith posted nine sacks and 63 quarterback pressures in 2024, so he's still capable of posting nice production.

Chicago doesn't have much cap space left, but they should try their best to sign Smith and bolster their pass rush ahead of training camp in July. The new-look defense, led by experienced defensive coordinator Dennis Allen in his first season with the Bears, will be the backbone of Ben Johnson's squad in 2025.

Smith landing in Chicago would be electric, but a return to Detroit still makes the most sense, especially with the Lions signing his nephew, wide receiver Jackson Meeks, to a UDFA deal.

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