Report: Bears sign DT Andrew Billings to one-year deal originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago

The Chicago Bears are reportedly adding a second defensive tackle via free agency, this time in the form of Andrew Billings, according to his agency. The deal is a one-year contract worth $3.5 million, with $2.4 million guaranteed, according to Ian Rapoport.

Billings, 28, spent last season with the Las Vegas Raiders. During the 2022 season, he recorded 39 combined tackles (career high), three tackles for loss, three quarterback hits and one sack. Before the Raiders, he spent one season with the Cleveland Browns and the first three years of his career with the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Texas native was drafted by the Bengals in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL draft. He played three seasons at Baylor University, recording 107 combined tackles, 30 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks.

The Bears are in dire need of adding to the trenches. Last season, they fielded the worst defensive line unit in the NFL. The Bears recorded the fewest number of sacks of any team in the league. They also allowed the second most rushing yards per contest, just above the Houston Texans.

Earlier this offseason, the Bears added DeMarcus Walker in free agency to help support the shoddy defensive line, too. Walker spent last season with the Tennessee Titans, where he recorded seven sacks and 32 combined tackles.

Certainly, the Bears still could use effective edges to focus on working the outside gaps and placing pressure on the quarterback. The Bears have yet to address any edge rushers this offseason. Although, they've added two quality linebackers to the second level – T.J. Edwards and Tremaine Edmunds – who will likely have a part in the Bears' pass rush.

It's still early in the offseason, as the Bears have time to fill out the roster in free agency and in the NFL draft in late April.

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