Experienced defensive lineman Linval Joseph is not signed to a team right now, and one expert thinks he might be a good fit for the Chicago Bears.
Alex Shapiro of NBC Sports said the Bears need more players for their offensive and defensive lines after the draft.
He suggested that Joseph could join the Bears as a free agent.
“Joseph is turning 36 next year and is not as good as he used to be when he played for the Vikings,” Shapiro wrote on May 5. “The Bears don't have many defensive tackles, and Joseph could help Gervon Dexter as he is likely to become the main three-tech player for the team.”
Linval Joseph Would Be Affordable Addition at DT for Chicago Bears
Joseph was a second-round pick for the New York Giants in 2010 and has played for many different teams during his 14-year career, including the Minnesota Vikings, where he made two Pro Bowls from 2014 to 2019, the Los Angeles Chargers (2020-2021), the Philadelphia Eagles (2022), and the Buffalo Bills (2023).
Joseph, who is 6-foot-4 and weighs 330 pounds, has not played a full season in two years but can still make a big impact. He played eight games in 2022 after the Eagles signed him in November of that season, and he was signed by Buffalo mid-season last year.
In seven games with the Bills last season, Joseph made 12 total tackles (including one for loss), a QB hit, and 1.0 sacks.
Would adding a 36-year-old defensive tackle to a team that is full of young players interest the Bears? It’s possible. Both Dexter and Zacch Pickens are in their second year. Bringing in a veteran with lots of experience to strengthen the group would make sense. Joseph would also be very cheap.
He signed a one-year, $1.4 million contract with the Bills last year and would likely ask for the same or less this season.
Bears May Focus More on DT in Free Agency After Drafting DE Austin Booker
The chance of Chicago getting a player like Joseph increased after the 2024 draft.
The Bears did pick a defensive lineman in the draft, trading into Round 5 to get Austin Booker. That choice added strength to Chicago’s pass rush and might mean the team will try to add a defensive tackle like Joseph next.
Booker is a developing player, but it’s easy to see his potential.
“He’s a guy with a lot of talent,” Bears head coach Matt Eberflus said about Booker. “He’s tall, fast, and has a lot of quickness. You can definitely see that. And he plays in an aggressive way, and we’re excited to have him.”
Booker will probably play on the edge opposite starter Montez Sweat and will likely rotate in at first.
“I’ve played with four linemen my whole career, in college and high school,” Booker said after getting drafted. “But I also know I have the ability to play with a three-man line. Having the versatility is only a plus for me moving forward. I’m excited to play in the 4-3 and put my hand in the dirt again.”
Following his signing, Chicago still needs to improve their offensive and defensive lines. We'll wait and see if the Bears reach out to Joseph.
