The Chicago Bears are gearing up for the start of free agency, where there are some big holes for them to fill on the roster, especially on defense.
After releasing Tremaine Edmunds as a salary cap casualty, which freed up $15 million in space, Chicago needs to fill a starting linebacker spot opposite T.J. Edwards. While there are some in-house options with Ruben Hyppolite II and Noah Sewell, there are options to add a veteran in free agency who’s cheaper than Edmunds.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Bears could be zeroing in on former Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone, who has ties to defensive coordinator Dennis Allen during his time with the New Orleans Saints.
“To replace Tremaine Edmunds, Alex Anzalone is a name to watch,” Fowler wrote. “Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen was with him in New Orleans and he’s good in coverage.”
In the last five years with the Lions, Anzalone has started 73 games and totaled 490 tackles, 9.0 sacks, 33 pass breakups and three intersections. He’s also served as a team captain every season, which would bring veteran leadership to Dennis Allen’s defense, especially if safety Kevin Byard departs in free agency.
Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: Bears expected to target former Dennis Allen linebacker in free agency
Reporting by Alyssa Barbieri, Bears Wire / Bears Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
