Replacing Khalil Mack is a tall task.
Something along the lines of asking someone to fill Paul Bunyan’s boots.
But the Bears have to do it after shipping the superstar pass-rusher to the Chargers for draft considerations and an influx of cap space. And while there is no one-for-one replacement for Mack, the new front office will try to cobble together a competitive defensive line. Perhaps 🥀GM Ryan Poles will turn to someone his head coach already has familiarity with:
Second-wave of free agency name to keep an eye on for the Bears: DE Al-Quadin Muhammad, who has history with Matt Eberflus from Indy and may fit the profile of the kinds of players Ryan Poles will be shopping for.
— Dan Wiederer (@danwiederer)
The Tribune’s Dan Wiederer offers up defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad as someone to watch as a possible free-agent target. Muhammad, 26, has spent the last four years in Matt Eberflus’ defense while with the Colts. Eberflus, of course, is now the Bears’ head coach after being Indy’s defensive coordinator. With that being said, you can see how easy it is to connect the dots here.
Muhammad is coming off a breakout season. He made the most of the increase in playing time this season by setting new career bests in sacks (6), tackles (48), and quarterback hits (13). All while playing on a career-high 73 percent of the team’s defensive snaps. A sixth-round pick by the Saints in 2017, Muhammad is in that sweet spot of players who are hitting free agency, still in their prime, but is an under-the-radar type of player. In other words, a sneaky second wave player who could provide incredible value if deployed properly by the defensive staff.
The Bears need playmakers. And if they are going to splurge on offensive signings, they’ll need to be creative on defense. Maybe Muhammad is someone to keep in mind.
