After a few smart free agency signings the past couple of weeks, the Chicago Bears suddenly have the pieces to field a defense capable of executing the vision of defensive master Vic Fangio. Sam Acho was reportedly added back into the mix Monday, per Rand Getlin of NFL Network.
Shortly after Getlin reported the deal, Acho’s representative agency tweeted a confirmation.
.@TheSamAcho is returning to the @ChicagoBears for the 2016 season. Congratulations, Sam! #BearDown pic.twitter.com/JU6uuC4p61
— SportsTrust Advisors (@_SportsTrust) March 28, 2016
The wording there, by SportsTrust Advisors indicates it’s a one-year deal for the linebacker.
Under Fangio, Acho will continue to be put into a position to land a big role as a rotational pass-rusher for the Bears.
A rock-solid special teams player for the Bears last year who also started some games at outside linebacker, Acho tallied 24 tackles and contributed to two turnovers.
A fourth-round pick out of Texas in 2011, Acho’s career started out with a bang as he racked up 11 sacks in his first two years. He got injured in 2013 and missed most of that season and hasn’t yet worked himself back into a position to make the same impact in the two years since.
However, Acho’s potential as an edge rusher makes him a valuable all-around piece for Fangio on defense. He could certainly challenge for more playing time on passing downs. He’s also a core player on the team’s special teams coverage unit and should contribute heavily in that role again in 2016.
With the free agency signings of Jerrell Freeman and Danny Trevathan, the Bears are more formidable on defense this year than they have been since the days of a healthy Brian Urlacher. Acho can become a key player within that impressive linebacker corps.