Bears make solid signing with Rasheem Green |
This is the point of the NFL offseason, where things begin to slow down. That is mainly because the first wave of free agency has ended, and the second wave will occur from May until the beginning of June.
We are also in the stages of the NFL offseason, where teams begin to meet with this year's draft prospects as they want to get a good feel for who they are interested in as players and who could help this team come draft weekend. Even with all that being said, there are still plenty of free agents out there, and plenty of free agent deals that take place. Most deals that will be discussed right now are depth signings, but they are still deals nonetheless. Chicago continued to build their roster for the future by adding another depth piece on the defensive side of the ball as they have signed Rasheem Green to a one-year deal worth $2.50 million with $85K guaranteed including a $350K signing bonus. Looking at the Bears roster and their struggles last season, you can immediately look to the trenches on both the offense and defensive side of the ball. Not only could they not protect the QB, but they couldn't get after the QB, as they lost most of their games in the trenches last season. The Bears still need a lot of help in the trenches, but at least Green will provide some of that help on a depth side. There have been a lot of rumors starting to swirl that the Bears are exploring a Leonard Floyd reunion which would be huge for this team. While that may still be possible, Ryan Poles will still focus on the defense during the draft and felt the need to add another piece now with the addition of Green. The 25-year-old Green spent time with the Seattle Seahawks and the Houston Texans last season, playing almost everywhere on the defensive line. This is a third-round pick in the 2018 NFL draft and lined up at the defensive end spot while also being an EDGE rusher. Green provided limited production in his first three seasons, but his best season came in 2021. In that season, he started all 16 games and played a career-best 846 snaps on the defensive side of the ball. Throughout that season, Green picked up 15 QB hits, Six tackles for a loss, and 6.5 sacks. If he had put up that production consistently, Green would have found himself with a multi-year offer somewhere, but he ended up signing just a one-year prove-it deal with the Texans for 2022.
Although Green didn't play as big of a role this past season, he still managed to see time in 53% of the team's defensive snaps and produced reasonably well during that time. He picked up eight QB hits, added five tackles for a loss, and came away with 3.5 sacks. That is 10 sacks the past two seasons, and should he be able to give you 4-6 sacks this season, he will be considered a nice get for the Bears.
Granted, the Bears would love to add a player who can play most of the snaps; Green is an under-the-radar move for this team as he has proven he can start and play in a limited role. Whatever role he takes on, Green has produced and will immediately add some much-needed production to a defense that lacked production in 2022.
Green becomes the third notable free agent signing to join the defensive line this offseason. The Bears could be looking at a front four of Green, Andrew Billings, Justin Jones (a free agent signing from last year), and DeMarcus Walker. Throw in T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds, and we’re looking at a front seven with six new players who weren’t starting for the Bears. Chicago may not be done, as more could be on the way in the coming weeks as this team continues to remake its defense.
Rasheem Green is a 5 year DE with 17 career sacks. He’s a DE but can rush inside at DT too.
— Clay Harbor (@clayharbs82) April 7, 2023
He’s not a game changer but definitely an upgrade. At 25 he’s still got room to improve. Solid depth signing. #DaBears #Bears #ChicagoBears pic.twitter.com/woUOip298j
