Matt Eberflus didn’t shy away when the question was asked. He admitted the Chicago Bears may have a depth problem at defensive tackle. This is partly due to the recent injury to Zacch Pickens and the group’s poor play later in the preseason win over Kansas City. Eberflus is big on having a deep rotation of linemen, so he can keep guys fresh. Right now, the Bears aren’t there. At least not on the interior. That is why there is a strong likelihood they will be active on the waiver wire when final cuts begin next week.
The obvious question for fans is who may or may not be available. That is difficult to answer because teams can change their minds about who stays or goes right up until the last minute. That said, there are a few names out there worth watching.
Roy Robertson-Harris (Jaguars)
This would obviously be a cool story: a former Bears undrafted free agent coming back to help his old team. Robertson-Harris left a few years ago in free agency, signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He’s been a solid player for them, collecting 6.5 sacks and 23 QB hits over the past two seasons. However, new defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen brings a different scheme to the table. Robertson-Harris has played deep into a lot of preseason games this month, which is usually an indication a player’s spot on a roster is questionable.
Maurice Hurst (Browns)
The former 5th round pick has had a rollercoaster career. He started out looking like a steal for the Raiders with 7.5 sacks in his first two seasons. Then he was slapped with a slew of injuries over the next three, missing most of 2021 and all of 2022. He was finally healthy last year for Cleveland, collecting 1.5 sacks and five QB hits in limited playing time. The Browns are crowded at defensive tackle, especially after drafting Michael Hall Jr. Hurst could be an unfortunate sacrifice.
One thing we know about the Chicago Bears is they love players with size, power, and length. Mathis has all three. It also doesn’t hurt he was coached by Nick Saban, Matt Eberflus’ mentor. His career hasn’t gotten off to a great start, hampered by a torn meniscus as a rookie and a calf problem early last year. The arrival of a new coaching staff with no attachment to him puts his odds of staying in Washington at a record low. He’s best known for his run-plugging skills but did flash pass rush potential with nine sacks his final year at Alabama.
DeShawn Williams (Bills)
The 31-year-old veteran has battled to stay in the league for a long time. He’s never been a star, but he can produce when given opportunities. In 2022, Williams had 4.5 sacks and 8 QB hits. He has the necessary burst to function well in the Bears’ gap-shooting scheme. Make no mistake. He won’t solve their overall problem. Still, he gives them a little more flexibility until Zacch Pickens returns.
