The Chicago Bears entered the offseason with more need along the defensive line than anywhere else on the roster, but one former Minnesota Vikings player who the Bears took a flier on this spring is unlikely to make the cut.
Defensive tackle James Lynch joined the Vikings as a fourth-round pick out of Baylor in 2020. He spent his first four years in Minnesota, though missed the entire 2023 campaign due to an injury.
While with the Vikings, Lynch appeared in 37 games and earned three starts. He spent the last two campaigns with the Tennessee Titans, playing in 34 contests and starting once. The reserve DT has tallied 98 tackles, including seven tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, three pass breakups and a fumble recovery during his time in the NFL.
Lynch, who stands six-feet, four-inches tall and weighs 295 pounds, will play the upcoming campaign at 27 years old. But despite the fact that he inked a one-year contract worth $1.3 million with the Bears, the defensive lineman may end up playing his snaps somewhere other than Chicago.
Ryan Heckman of FanSided predicted on Monday, June 8 that the Bears will ultimately cut Lynch given his standing and skill set among the rest of the players populating the DT room.
“With such a crowded depth chart, Lynch could already have one foot out the door. The six-year veteran defensive tackle is going to have a very difficult battle ahead of him this summer,” Heckman wrote. “A Bears defense that needs more in terms of pressure on quarterbacks, whether it’s from the end or interior, isn’t going to find it in Lynch. He has a total of just 11 quarterback pressures in five seasons.”
Bears Have 4 Clear Favorites to Earn Spots in Defensive Tackle Room
GettyChicago Bears defensive tackle Grady Jarrett.
Chicago has voiced its intention to kick 2025 second-round pick Shemar Turner out to the defensive end position on a permanent basis, which should clear some room in the position group.
However, there are a couple other offseason additions who might benefit more than Lynch.
The Bears’ starters at DT come Week 1 are likely to be Grady Jarrett and Gervon Dexter. Chicago also signed Neville Gallimore in free agency and drafted Jordan van den Berg out of Georgia Tech in Round 6 back in April.
Bears May Roster Fewer Defensive Tackles, Keep More Defensive Ends
GettyDefensive coordinator Dennis Allen of the Chicago Bears.
Bill Zimmerman of Windy City Gridiron predicted in April that those four players will be the only defensive tackles to make the 53-man roster come early September.
This group may seem light, but with Turner and [Dayo] Odeyingbo being bounced inside for some snaps from time to time, I think the Bears won’t feel like they need as many true DTs on the roster.
It wouldn’t stun me if van den Berg ends up on the practice squad, but with his athletic skills, I think there would be a chance a team might try and grab him on their 53. Probably not, but I don’t think the Bears will want to take that risk, since they traded two picks (albeit 7s) to get him.
Zimmerman predicted six defensive ends on the final 53-man roster, including Odeyingbo and Turner.
Bears Predicted to Cut Ties with Former Vikings Defensive Lineman