Bears continue underwhelming offseason with another lame free agent signing

The Chicago Bears make a move to bolster their defense, but it won’t exactly excite the fans.

Chicago Bears fans have not been feeling good about the team’s prospects in this year. They got their hopes up when Russell Wilson’s agent leaked Chicago as a potential trade destination, but instead ended up with Andy Dalton as their new starting quarterback.

They lost to the New York Giants in the Kenny Golladay sweepstakes. Then, the Bears shockingly released top cornerback Kyle Fuller as a cap casualty and watched him get signed quickly by the Denver Broncos. So, it is only fitting that the Bears sign a player of the Broncos roster as “retaliation.”

On Sunday, the Bears announced that they have signed former Broncos outside linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu to a one-year contract.

Bears: Jeremiah Attaochu signs one-year deal to play in Chicago

Attaochu is a former 2014 second-round draft pick out of Georgia Tech, where he is the program’s all-time sacks leader with 31.5. The outside linebacker spent four years with the Los Angeles Chargers (2014-17), one year with the New York Jets (2018) and the past two campaigns with the Broncos. At the NFL level, Attaochu did not replicate the production he put up during his four years with the Yellow Jackets.

In his seven seasons, Attaochu recorded 144 total tackles (31 for loss), 42 quarterback hits, 20.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, two defended passes and one fumble recovery. Last season, Attaochu tallied 31 total tackles and five sacks, while also accumulating 19 quarterback pressures, eight hurries and six knockdowns, per Pro Football Reference.

It certainly won’t excite Bears fans, but the Attaochu signing does bolster their front seven. The team still has the likes of Khalil Mack, Roquan Smith and Akiem Hicks, whom the latter is likely to remain in Chicago instead of on a new team via trade. Don’t lose hope, Bears fans. Maybe Attochu can have a career year in the Windy City.