The Bears are switching to a 3-4 defense under new coach John Fox and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and are in need of linemen to help make that transition.
Chicago has added defensive end Jarvis Jenkins to the mix on a one-year deal for the veteran’s minimum. Jenkins, the 41st overall pick in the 2011 draft by the Redskins, tore his ACL in his rookie training camp and has mostly been a non-factor in the three seasons since. He made 33 starts for Washington, but provided very little in terms of disruption, recording just two sacks and playing average-to-below average run defense.
Jenkins joins veteran Jeremiah Ratliff and 2014 second- and third-round picks Ego Ferguson and Will Sutton on the defensive line. Sutton is viewed as a poor fit for the new defense and may not be long for the Windy City.
New General Manager Ryan Pace still has a ton of work to do to fix one of the league’s worst defenses over the past couple years. Expect the Bears to have a defensive mindset heading into the upcoming draft.