PFF Ranks Bears LB Corps Second in NFL
The Chicago Bears struggled in the box last season, giving up the most rushing yards and touchdowns last year.
Following two major free-agent acquisitions and the emergence of Jack Sanborn, Chicago now boasts one of the best linebacker units in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF) analyst Dalton Wasserman.
Former Buffalo Bill Tremaine Edmunds and Philadelphia Eagle TJ Edwards sit at nine and 10 in the league’s linebacker rankings, respectively. Chicago signed them both this spring on the first day of free agency.
Edmunds is one of the most athletic defenders in the NFL and arguably the best coverage backer. PFF rates the former first-rounders coverage ability at 88.1. He also runs a 4.5 40-yard dash while standing at 6-foot-5, 250 pounds.
Meanwhile, Edwards recorded the second most solo tackles in the league last season with 125. More of a pass rusher than Edmunds, he’ll likely support Chicago’s blitzing efforts in lieu of an elite edge rusher.
Behind Chicago on Wasserman’s list sits the Baltimore Ravens, led by former Bear Roquan Smith. Ironically, Smith’s replacement returns as a key component of the 2023 Bears. Jack Sanborn won over fans last year after Smith’s departure, playing sideline to sideline and racking up 64 tackles while only starting 6 games.
As NBC Chicago reporter Ryan Taylor noted last November, Roquan Smith didn’t record a 10-tackle, multi-sack game until he played 27 games. It took Sanborn two.
The undrafted free agent will likely move from the middle to strongside linebacker in his second year as a pro. He is yet to fully recover from an ankle surgery he suffered last December, but it appears he will be ready to go for training camp.
Rookie Noah Sewell from Oregon, brother of Lions offensive lineman Penei Sewell, will also look to earn reps and potentially edge out Sanborn or Edwards for a starting spot.
Chicago appears vastly improved on both sides of the ball heading into 2023. As of today, the Bears are favorites to beat the Green Bay Packers in the season opener.
As an inexperienced Jordan Love takes the helm of the Packers’ offense, the second-best linebacking corps in the league stands ready to ruin his day.
Photo: Michael Reaves/Getty Images
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