Bears Become Latest Team to Be Fooled by Barkevious Mingo

Just because he's got a catchy name does not mean he's got the skills to catch on in this game.

Ever since the Cleveland Browns used the sixth overall pick on Barkevious Mingo, he's been taunting teams across the NFL with his fast-twitch pass-rushing skill set. It's never once panned out.

The Bears will be the latest team to take a chance on Mingo's services, as they seem poised to agree to terms with the 29-year-old on Sunday night.

The #Bears continue to add depth on defense, agreeing to terms with LB Barkevious Mingo on a 1-year deal, source said. He’s a familiar face for #Bears DC Chuck Pagano from their time in Indy & ST coach Chris Tabor from their time in Cleveland.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 23, 2020

Mingo's been a Brown. He's been a Patriot. He's been a Colt, Seahawk, and Texans. And everywhere he's been, he's been tantalizingly average.

He set his career high in sacks with five in his rookie season in Cleveland under Rob Chudzinski. After his fifth-year option was declined in The Land, Mingo played mainly special teams for the Patriots in their 14-2 Super Bowl-winning 2016 campaign. He then drifted to the Colts, Seahawks, and Texans, with his most notable accomplishment somehow being the player centerpiece of Seattle's Jadeveon Clowney trade.

Former Texans linebacker Barkevious Mingo's one-year Bears deal is for $1.187 million, $887,000 fully guaranteed, according to a league source. Texans had interest in Mingo during process, including an offer at one point, but Bears stepped up to get the deal done
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 23, 2020

That Colts tenure is the reason he's in Chicago -- clearly, Chuck Pagano was familiar with his ST skills, and comfortable employing them. At best, he's a discount option following the big-money Robert Quinn signing.

At worst, he's...well, he's what he's been everywhere else.