The former All-Pro may be a good fit for the Bears’ pass-rush needs.

The Chicago Bears are still searching for pass rushers as the regular season draws near.

Following Matthew Judon’s August 15 trade to the Atlanta Falcons, head coach Matt Eberflus and his staff will have to find another player.

The team’s best remaining option might be veteran free agency linebacker Justin Houston, according to a report from Beth Mishler-Elmore at Heavy.com.

Houston, who has spent 13 seasons playing for five different teams, is connected to the Chicago Bears coaching staff. In 2022, he recorded 9.5 sacks while playing for the Baltimore Ravens.

For the past two seasons, the Bears’ main issue has been getting to the quarterback. Chicago had thirty sacks overall last year, which put them in 31st place. After the 2022 campaign, Chicago was dead last (22).

No club (Los Angeles Rams, Detroit Lions) that qualified for the 2023 playoffs had fewer than 41 sacks.

The last two seasons, the Bears have been led by Jaquan Brisker (4.0) and Montez Sweat (6.0) after defensive end Robert Quinn, who led the team with 18 1/2 sacks in 2021, left.
Houston has 112.0 career sacks in 170 games, making him a four-time Pro Bowler and one-time All-Pro. His connection to the Bears began with Chicago general manager Ryan Poles, who during Houston’s tenure with the Chiefs oversaw college scouting and was the director of scouting for the team.

He played with the Colts in 2019 and 2020, where he was coached by Eberflus, the team’s defensive coordinator.
Jacob Infante of Windy City Gridiron stated, “He worked under Eberflus for two seasons with the Colts, tallying 11.0 and 8.0 sacks in those respective years.” At this point in his career, he’s probably best in a rotational position, which is probably what the Bears would offer him. Houston may be drawn to familiarity and a route to playing time as he searches for a berth in what may be his last season.

Prior to being placed on injured reserve due to a hamstring injury, Justin Houston played for both the Carolina Panthers and the Miami Dolphins during the previous season. He made seven appearances for the Panthers. He arrived in Miami upon his release, but he did not play for them.

While his age and durability may be a concern, the Bears could view the reward as greater than the potential risk.