The Chicago Bears have been all-in on the Ben Johnson era from the moment they signed the former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator to be their new head coach. The team took an aggressive approach to the offseason, completely revamping its offensive line with four notable additions via trades, free agency, and the draft.
It didn’t stop there, with two offensive playmakers drafted with Chicago’s first two picks in April, while defensive line reinforcements were also added in free agency. Now, the Bears have been tipped to add another notable free agent to their roster in a move that would be in keeping with the team’s overall statement of intent this NFL offseason.
Bears Encouraged To Sign Future Hall of Famer in Free Agency
The Bears’ defense finished in the middle of the pack in quarterback sacks (40) in 2024, tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers for 16th. That was despite managing to pressure opposing QBs at the seventh-highest rate in the league (25.1%).
In free agency, Chicago added former Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Grady Jarrett to improve against the run, but they could also use help on the outside.
Dayo Odeyingbo was also added in free agency, after leaving the Indianapolis Colts, but managed just three sacks in 2024, despite starting 14 games. Odeyingbo has flashed potential in the past, with eight sacks in 2023, but PFSN’s Brandon Austin has suggested that the team should acquire the help of an all-time great.
In a recent article, Austin lists one current free agent that each team should sign, and links the Bears with legendary pass rusher Von Miller.
“While Von Miller may no longer be the dominant force he was during his prime years with the Broncos, in 2024, he proved that he can still have an impact on games. Despite a reduced role, he tallied six sacks and posted a 16.1% pressure rate, the 11th-best mark among 212 players with at least 150 pass-rush snaps.
“Now 36 years old and coming off back-to-back years of playing about 25% of defensive snaps in Buffalo, N.Y., Miller is clearly best suited as a rotational piece at this stage of his career. Last season, 77% of his snaps were on passing downs. The Bears could use exactly that kind of situational pass-rush help behind the starters.”
What Would Von Miller Bring to Chicago?
Miller is still a free agent, having been released by the Buffalo Bills in March after three seasons with the team. Miller was unable to bring a first Super Bowl to Buffalo, but he has two Lombardi Trophies to his name, one with each of his previous teams: the Denver Broncos and the Los Angeles Rams.
Not only has Miller won two Super Bowls, but he was named Super Bowl MVP for his lights-out performance in Super Bowl 50. Miller tallied 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles in the game, one of which resulted in a Broncos touchdown.
Von Miller pretty much won the Super Bowl all by his dang self https://t.co/GplqWwnu2F pic.twitter.com/1KbhOp8yl7
— SB Nation NFL 🏈 (@SBNationNFL) February 8, 2016
The Bears allowed the fewest passing touchdowns in the NFL last season (17), but allowed the most points in the NFC North (370). If Chicago wants to make a bigger impact on the division in 2025, adding a wily sack artist like Miller would be another step in the right direction.