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Chuck Pagano on Aaron Lynch’s chronic neutral-zone infractions: 'He needs some earplugs'

Aaron Lynch has played 234 defensive snaps this season, or 22.9 percent overall. The Bears’ No. 3 outside linebacker has been whistled seven times for offsides/neutral zone infractions, one every 33.4 snaps. By contrast, Kyle Fuller leads the Bears in defensive snaps (1,022) and defensive penalties (8), one every 127.8 play.

Across the league in 2019, defensive backs draw an average of 3.88 flags per game, compared to only 1.74 by linebackers, according to nflpenalties.com.

It’s difficult to deduce anything other than that Lynch has been among the more undisciplined players in the NFL. Only three positional peers in football — all full-time players — have more penalties: Pro Bowlers Shaq Barrett (16.