Bears: 3 best moves of the 2023 offseason

Bears best offseason moves: 1. Upgrading the defensive line via free agency and the draft

Matt Eberflus was the defensive coordinator of the Indianapolis Colts for four seasons before taking over the top spot in Chicago this past season. Perhaps that is why it’s so hard for some to believe that the Bears’ defense was so disappointing in 2022.

The club gave up a league-high 463 points and surrendered 53 offensive touchdowns. Only three teams surrendered more total yards per outing and only the Houston Texans (170.2) allowed more yards per game on the ground (157.3) than Eberflus’ club.

Yes, the club went all in on linebacker help with the additions of T.J. Edwards (Eagles), Tremaine Edmunds (Bills), and Dylan Cole (Titans) this offseason. However, general manager Ryan Poles signed three veteran defensive linemen in DeMarcus Walker (Titans), Andrew Billings (Raiders), and Raheem Green (Texans). He also used three of their 10 draft choices on interior defensive front help in the form of Gervon Dexter (2-Florida), Zacch Pickens (3-South Carolina), and Travis Bell (7-Kennesaw State).

This past season, the Bears were gouged for 200-plus yards on the ground in five of their 17 outings. Meanwhile, no team in the league gave up more rushing touchdowns in 2022 as Chicago defenders permitted opponents to run for 31 scores.