The Chicago Bears have signed former Tennessee Titans defensive tackle James Lynch to a one-year deal, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport announced.
“The #Bears are adding depth along the D-line, signing veteran James Lynch, his agent at @LIFTSPORTSMNGMT tell The Insiders. Former #Vikings and #Titans DL is signing a 1-year deal.”
Lynch, 27, is 6’4″ and 295 pounds with five seasons of NFL experience with the Minnesota Vikings and Titans.
He’s racked up 98 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, seven quarterback hits, and seven tackles for loss appearing in 71 career games. Lynch joins Neville Gallimore and Kentavius Street as the third defensive tackle that Bears general manager Ryan Poles has signed this offseason.
Bears Sign Former Titans DT James Lynch
Here’s more on Lynch from the Titans’ website:
- The 6-foot-4-inch, 295-pounder originally entered the league as a fourth-round draft pick of the Minnesota Vikings in 2020.
- While participating in the 2020 NFL Combine, Lynch partnered with Uplifting Athletes to raise money for the rare disease community.
Lynch will be yet another rotational piece on the Bears’ defensive line. Poles is taking the “bring in as many rotational guys at defensive tackle” approach this offseason. Now, Chicago has Grady Jarrett, Gervon Dexter Sr., Gallimore, Street, and Lynch as options at DT.
It was announced right away that Gallimore signed a two-year, $12 million deal, but only details of the contract being one year were announced when Street signed. Now, it was revealed that Street signed just a one-year, $1.48 million deal.
So, cheap one-year contracts for Street and likely for Lynch as well.
Are the Bears Still Adding to the Defensive Tackle Room During the NFL Draft?
They should, first off. The three signings this offseason are all rotational depth pieces, and what the Bears really need is a game-changer in the interior.
The bigger question is when the Bears will be drafting a defensive tackle. Round 1? Round 2? Round 3?
Caleb Banks, DT from Florida, suffered a broken foot at the Combine, which likely takes him out of the running for the Bears in the first round. Granted, he’s likely not on their radar anyway since he’s 6’6″ 320-lbs and Dennis Allen prefers shorter DTs under 300-lbs.
Kayden McDonald from Ohio State could be an option. He ranked fourth in tackles, first in run defense, first in tackles for loss/no gain, and first in run stops.
Peter Woods fits what Allen covets in a defensive tackle, but what if he’s not there at 25? There’s also some solid options in the middle rounds, including Gracen Halton, Chris McClellan, Skyler Gill-Howard, Zane Durant, David Gusta.
It’ll be interesting to see how early the Bears draft a defensive tackle, and even with all these DT signings, it would come as a shock if Chicago doesn’t draft a single DT during the 2026 NFL Draft.
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