The Chicago Bears putting the franchise tag on defensive tackle Henry Melton is proof they are going to try and make a run at the Super Bowl in 2013-14.

The franchise tag guarantees a player the average of the top five salaries at his position. In the case of Melton, that number will be around $8.5 million. By putting the tag on Melton, it is safe to assume Bears fans will see a similar defensive roster next year.

The Bears are in an interesting position. They have an aging defense with Brian Urlacher (34), Julius Peppers (33), Lance Briggs (32) and Charles Tillman (32). It ranked fifth overall in 2012 and second in points allowed behind a young Seattle Seahawks team. With general manager Phil Emery having one season with the Bears along with a new head coach in Marc Trestman, it wasn’t crazy to assume the two would revamp most of the roster. I think that the Melton signing is proof Emery and Trestman are going to give this team, specifically the defense, one last shot.

This is important because Melton was going to be in the running for a huge contract had the Bears decided to sign him to a long-term deal. Rather than have that money on the Bears’ books long-term, they used the tag. At 26 years old, Melton was voted to his first career Pro Bowl in 2012 after racking up 33 tackles with six sacks and five tackles-for-loss. Melton also led the team with 24 quarterback pressures while adding two forced fumbles. Here’s why this signing is indicative of what’s to come.

The Bears defense ran what was called the cover-two under Lovie Smith. In order for the cover-two to be effective, the Bears need what is called a “three technique.” This is someone who can effectively rush the quarterback from the line as opposed to a 3-4 defense where the rush tends to come from linebackers like the Bear killer, Green Bay’s Clay Matthews. These linemen are usually fast and not as responsible for stopping the run as they are generating pressure on the quarterback. This is why Melton’s team-leading 24 quarterback pressures are important and why the Bears need him for at least one last year. An effective three technique tackle is essential to a successful cover two defense. Add it all up. Tagging Melton for one year is proof the Bears are probably going to keep running the cover-two, and Melton is a key to the system’s success.

Bears fans should embrace this last year. Emery and Trestman are going about this transitional period wisely. Hall-of-fame linebacker Urlacher is at the end of his career and players like Briggs and Tillman near the end of their most productive years. By giving this beloved defense one last kick at the can, they allow themselves to be revered if the Bears can accomplish the ultimate goal, or give themselves the opportunity to gut the team if it turns out to be a disaster. The aging defense proves to be at the end of the road.

If Emery can add some pieces to the offense and Trestman’s self-proclaimed “science of football” is not falsified, Bears fans might be in for an exciting season and one last hoorah with the players we’ve grown to love.