The Chicago added another defensive lineman in free agency, signing veteran James Lynch from the Tennessee Titans to a one-year deal.
Bears general manager Ryan Poles continues to add depth to the Chicago Bears' defensive line.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Bears are signing veteran defensive tackle James Lynch to a one-year deal.
The 6-foot-4, 295-pound defensive lineman finished his fifth season in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans. The Minnesota Vikings drafted him with the No. 130 overall pick in the fourth round from Baylor, and he spent three seasons there before being released and joining the Titans.
Last season, Lynch played in all 17 games, registering 25 total tackles, 0.5 sacks and one pass defensed. According to Pro Football Focus, the veteran defensive tackle had a career-high 10 quarterback pressures on 333 defensive snaps last season. He’s primarily lined up in the B-gap with 700 of 1,215 career snaps in that alignment.
Lynch becomes the third interior defensive lineman that Poles has signed in free agency. Last week, the Bears signed Neville Gallimore to a two-year deal and Kentavious Street on a one-year contract.
The Bears have lost some depth on their defensive line in free agency. Dominique Robinson signed with Houston Texans, and Andrew Billings went to the Arizona Cardinals.
There was clearly an emphasis going into free agency to acquire different players on the interior defensive line. What has been a common denominator among the recent signings is the speed and overall athletic ability.
Lynch has some of those traits based off his relative athletic score.
At the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, Poles mentioned that he wanted more team speed on defense. These recent signing on the D-line alone highlight the Bears are making an effort to acquire players who possess that quality.
This could be the start of a defensive identity beginning to form. The unit under Dennis Allen last season led the NFL in takeaways, but a majority of the players that played a big part in creating those turnovers are now gone.
To Bears have replaced Kevin Byard III and Tremaine Edmunds with Coby Bryant and Devin Bush, who both raise the overall team speed.
The recent free agent signings doesn't prohibit the Bears from taking an interior defensive lineman in the upcoming draft, especially since Lynch, Gallimore and Street are more role players than high-upside starters. That group will join Grady Jarrett and Gervon Dexter Sr.
After the 2025 NFL season, moves needed to be made on the defensive side of the ball. Poles has made his fair share of signing, but it's far too early to tell or know how much of a difference these signings will impact the team this season.