Bears connected to move for former No. 1 pick in potential free agent coup

The Chicago Bears have definitely been active in free agency, but they haven’t made any significant splashes, which is certainly disappointing for a fanbase that was initially expecting the team to swing a trade for Maxx Crosby.

After failing to land Crosby, the Bears still have a need at edge rusher, and while it’s possible they may roll with Austin Booker as their No. 2 pass rusher alongside of Montez Sweat next season (or simply punt to the NFL Draft), there is still time for Chicago to add some depth at the position.

Fortunately, numerous intriguing edge rushers remain available in free agency, and while Trey Hendrickson probably won’t be taking his talents to the Windy City, there are some affordable — bur productive — options left.

Anthony Miller of Bear Goggles On has cited a very interesting potential target in that regard: Jadeveon Clowney.

The Chicago Bears could sign Jadeveon Clowney

Clowney has never really lived up to the initial expectations placed upon him when the Houston Texans selected him with the No. 1 overall pick back in 2014, but he has still carved out a very solid NFL career.

This past season, for example, Clowney registered 41 tackles and 8.5 sacks with the Dallas Cowboys, marking the fifth time in his professional tenure that he has logged eight or more sacks. He would also come rather cheap for the Bears.

“With his predicted price only being over $5 million, the Bears would be crazy to not consider signing him at that price,” Miller wrote.

Chicago currently has a tick over $10 million in cap space, so there is definitely enough room for the club to sign Clowney. And considering how effective he has been even in his older age (he turned 33 years old in February), it seems like a slam-dunk move for the Bears.

Clowney played in 44 percent of the Cowboys’ defensive snaps in 2025, so he could fill part-time role in Chicago’s edge rusher rotation. And if the Bears want even more insurance, they could then select another pass rusher in the middle to later rounds of the draft next month.

No, Clowney isn’t a superstar, but he is an impact player, and Chicago should absolutely be on the phone with his agent trying to bring him aboard.

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