Everybody is already talking about free agency in March. That’s understandable. Most fans have already seen their teams get eliminated from the playoffs. They’re in off-season mode and the real off-season begins when free agency goes active. However, GMs like Ryan Pace have a ton of work to do before then. Biggest on his agenda is the 2018 Bears in-house free agents.
He must go through every single contract that is expiring and make a list. Who is a priority and who isn’t coming back? A new coaching staff led by Matt Nagy will make some of those decisions a little unclear. That said it isn’t too hard to separate the players in terms which are most likely to come back and which are gone.
Here is a breakdown of every name that is set to become available. The Bears will have upwards of $40 million in salary cap space this year. That’s not counting likely releases and cap rollover. So money won’t be an issue for them. It is merely a matter of determining who has the most value to their future.
Franchise Tag
Kyle Fuller (CB)
Subscribe to the BFR podcast and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
There is only one player the Bears should even remotely consider for the franchise tag. Even then it’s a slight stretch. That’s Kyle Fuller. The former first round pick seemed to find himself in 2017. He picked off two passes, defended 22 others and finished second on the team in tackles. He’s turning 26 this year and entering his prime. This is not the sort of player the Bears want to let get away. Not when he’s starting to play his best football.
Priorities
Cameron Meredith (WR)
It looked like he was poised for a big year before he suffered his unfortunate knee injury. Even with that Meredith is a restricted free agent, so keeping him won’t be difficult. He still has plenty of upside and could make for a quality target Mitch Trubisky can exploit.
Kendall Wright (WR)
Sure he wasn’t exactly spectacular but Wright was the leading receiver on the roster this year (614 yards) and nobody else was close. The guy was given a crummy situation and made the best of it. Trubisky seems to trust him too and that’s worth bringing him back.
Lamarr Houston (EDGE)
How’s this for a stat? Houston finished third on the team this season with four sacks. He did that despite only playing five games, having not actually been on the roster for most of the year. It’s proof that he works well in Vic Fangio’s defense when healthy and must return. Especially given the iffy situation at pass rusher.
Prince Amukamara (CB)
Fuller may have gotten the love but Amukamara deserves credit for the quality year he had as well. The veteran didn’t post eye-popping numbers but he was steady and dependable in coverage all season. It’s unclear how much money he’s seeking, but it shouldn’t be too much.
Christian Jones (ILB)
This is a difficult one to gauge. Jones more than earned a new contract with how well he played this season in place of the injured Jerrell Freeman. However, with Freeman’s uncertain return and the presence of Nick Kwiatkoski who also played well it’s difficult to know whether the Bears are willing to pay to get him back. They should though.
Bryce Callahan (CB)
Perhaps the most frustrating player with an expiring deal. When Callahan is healthy he’s proven to be a rock solid corner on defense, especially in the slot. The problem is he has a lengthy history of injury problems, many of the soft tissue variety. Bringing him back is a gamble but losing him would hurt too.
Sherrick McManis (CB)
McManis isn’t going to be a starting corner for the Bears but he remains a cornerstone member of their special teams. Each time he was forced to leave a game due to injury, they noticed his absence. There is no reason not to bring him back.
50/50
Dontrelle Inman (WR)
He was a trade deadline flier who at least helped settle the position down. He could be brought back cheap but then again he also showcased some serious drop issues.
Mark Sanchez (QB)
The Bears should want to retain Sanchez. Not only is he an able veteran backup but he also has a strong connection as mentor to Trubisky. Whether he’s open to that role is unknown.
Tom Compton (OG)
In terms of being a backup Compton was excellent in 2017. He fulfilled his job admirably. If he’d be willing to continue that role he’s absolutely worth bringing back.
Mitch Unrein (DE)
He never gets the attention because he doesn’t get a lot of sacks but Unrein has proven to be a solid, reliable veteran. Will that continue as he pushes into his 30s?
Sam Acho (EDGE)
Not only a reliable reserve and veteran, Acho has done a marvelous job representing the team off the field. Bringing him back won’t cripple anything, but age is a factor.
Benny Cunningham (RB)
He was both a nice third running back behind Howard and Cohen and also a valuable piece on special teams. Whether the new coaching staff sees a place for him is the problem.
John Jenkins (DE)
Depth along the defensive line is never a bad thing. Jenkins seemed to mesh well in the system even though he didn’t produce a lot. Will be 29 this year.
Bradley Sowell (OT)
Like Compton he was a decent blocker when called upon due to an injury to a starter. He may try to seek out a starting job but if not there’s no reason not to keep him.
Cairo Santos (K)
It’s unfortunate. Santos was never truly healthy in 2017. He’s actually a good kicker when not in constant pain. It should be worth giving him another chance.
Pat O’Donnell (P)
Could the Bears do better than O’Donnell at punter? Yes they can. That said he’s proven to at least be more consistent than years past so best to retain him until a better one arrives.
John Timu (ILB)
He’ll never be a starter in the league but Timu has a place as a dependable backup. Every time the Bears have asked, he’s stepped up. A player like that has value.
Daniel Brown (TE)
The fate of Dion Sims and Zach Miller will play a huge role is how things play out for Brown. He’s not a star but he has some pass catching ability that can be valuable.
Gone
- Mike Nugent (K)
- Josh Bellamy (WR)
- Andrew DePaola (LS)
- Zach Miller (TE)
Miller is such an unfortunate case because he’s a good player. He just can’t stay healthy and the knee injury he suffered in New Orleans may have been career-ending. Nugent was merely an emergency option at kicker as was DePaola at long snapper. Bellamy has moved in and out of the starting lineup the past two years but remains as he’s always been. Nothing special. With a new offensive staff in place his time is likely up.
