Bears re-sign Lynch to 1-year deal
The Bears on Monday announced the re-signing of Aaron Lynch to a one-year deal, a smart, potentially critical move that insures one of the NFL's priciest starting OLB pairings with an experienced veteran who still has a lot of upside.
Lynch, 26, enters his sixth season and second with the Bears, who coaxed excellent mileage from the ex-49ers fifth-rounder in 353 defensive snaps in 2018 prior to a season-ending elbow injury in Week 15. Lynch tallied 8 QB hits, 4 TFLs, 3 sacks and an interception in his most productive campaign since 2015, his second season with the San Francisco 49ers and first without DC Vic Fangio.
It was the reunion of Lynch and Fangio last season that helped the long and strong edge defender rebound following two disappointing, injury-marred campaigns from 2016-17. And it was Fangio's departure this offseason to fill the head-coach vacancy with the Denver Broncos, paired with Lynch remaining unsigned for the first three weeks of free agency despite making a number of visits, that cast doubt over his return to the Bears.
But credit GM Ryan Pace for finding a way to bring back the 6-foot-6, 270-pound Notre Dame product to the NFL's No. 1 defense, boasting a first-team All Pro in Khalil Mack and Pro Bowl alternate in Leonard Floyd on its edges but essentially nothing in reserve as far as proven experience prior to Lynch's return. Lest we forget, Mack is the NFL's second-highest-paid defender, and Floyd enters Year 4 on the heels of his best season but first in which he played every game, so the importance of having strong depth in the OLB room can't be overstated. Pace discussing last week the possibility of using DE Roy Robertson-Harris as an outside backer spoke to the need for help there with only Kylie Fitts and Isaiah Irving as additional alternatives.
That Lynch is still only 26 years old - the same age as Floyd and two-year veteran Eddie Jackson - suggests he still might have another NFL gear to find. It'll be up to new DC Chuck Pagano and OLB coach Ted Monachino to push the right buttons with Lynch, who has a unique blend of size and athleticism but also a reputation as an underachiever. Lynch missed virtually all of his first offseason and training camp under coach Matt Nagy last season with a hamstring injury, leading some to wonder whether he'd make the 53 despite signing a deal that included more than $1 million guaranteed.
Ultimately, Lynch rewarded the Bears' faith with a sneaky-strong season in which he helped mitigate the potential early-season drop-off with Leonard Floyd slowed by a cast on his broken hand and Mack missing the first two games of his career to rehab a high ankle sprain around midseason. Now, he can build on his production on what should again be an elite defense and earn another crack at a multi-year contract next offseason. And the cash-strapped Bears bought some peace of mind without breaking the bank.
Under Pagano, the Bears, who ranked No. 9 in the NFL in sack percentage last season, are expected to utilize more man coverage and pressure packages. The return of Lynch should add flexibility to that strategy and provide the NFL's best 'D,' which lost a lot of coaching continuity but will return 10 starters, another familiar face and talented playmaker.
• Arthur Arkush is the managing editor for Pro Football Weekly. For more on the NFL, visit profootballweekly.com and follow Arthur on Twitter @arthurarkush or @PFWeekly.