The Chicago Bears defense has three unresolved issues heading into this week s organized team activities and could get a better idea at these practices whether they need additional help with two positions.
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Part 8 of a 10-part series previewing the NFL Draft and analyzing the Bears’ needs.
Eddie Goldman’s return after opting out of the 2020 season because of concerns about the coronavirus figures to be an automatic boost for a Bears defensive line that definitely missed the Pro Bowl alternate nose tackle. But the uncertain status of defensive end Akiem Hicks threatened to cancel out that upgrade.
Hicks was a potential casualty that general manager Ryan Pace faced in the offseason after the NFL’s salary cap dropped from $198.2 million to $182.5 million instead of rising into the $210 million range as anticipated because of revenue losses during the coronavirus season. But when the Bears released safety Kyle Fuller, it in effect spared the loss of Hicks.