The Chicago Bears free agent outlook continues to take shape. Dion Sims and Cody Parkey are gone. Bobby Massie is re-signed. The team should have just over $11 million in cap space at present. That’s not a long of room to maneuver, which leads one to believe more contract restructuring is still to come.
With so few draft pick at their disposal, this is the best avenue they have to find more help for their roster. GM Ryan Pace knows he must be careful though. He doesn’t have the luxury of deep pockets this year. So if he got some moves in mind, he’ll need a proper plan to ensure they don’t upset the entire pay structure.
So who might they go after on the market this year? Before preparing a list of names, it’s perhaps best to separate them by tiers. Tier 1 being top names available who fit what the Bears need and will cost a lot. Tier 2 being cheaper options who may develop into something more. Finally Tier 3 made up of purely depth options.
Which direction do you think the Bears should focus?
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Tier 1: Difference-makers
Le’Veon Bell (RB)
Given the Bears’ salary cap situation, they aren’t really in a position to take a home run swing at too many names on the market. Only two stand out due to their ideal fit both for the teams’ systems and also their star-level talent. Le’Veon Bell would be an absolute perfect option in Matt Nagy’s offense. His mixture of patience, vision, power and versatility would create all sorts of matchup problems for a defense.
All of the things people say Jordan Howard can’t do? He can. Unfortunately, that’s why Bell will undoubtedly set his price tag high. He’s waited over a year for this moment. Don’t expect him to be handing out discounts.
Landon Collins (S)
Think of the player that people have wanted Adrian Amos to be. That’s Landon Collins. He can play the tackling and run defense just like Amos but is a much bigger threat in coverage. His instinct and leadership are among the best in the NFL. It is why he has made three Pro Bowls. His current position with the New York Giants is murky at best. Some think the team won’t use the franchise tag. Others do.
Odds say they do in hopes of finding common ground on a long-term extension. Teams aren’t in the habit of letting players of that caliber walk. If they do though, that is the one name you can expect Pace to go all in for. He and Eddie Jackson together would be something.
Tier 2: Role players with upside
Tevin Coleman (RB)
He’s played second fiddle to De’Vonta Freeman in Atlanta for years and is ready to take the reins for himself. A big back with quickness and deceptive speed, he has a more complete skill set than he gets credit for. He averaged 4.8 yards per carry last season and caught 32 passes. He may not be Bell, but there’s definite untapped potential there.
Carlos Hyde (RB)
Not enough people are talking about this kid, and that’s great news for the Bears. Hyde is considered a disappointment in San Francisco but he was actually productive his final two years there with 2,439 yards from scrimmage and 17 touchdowns. He has soft hands for catching passes but also the power and toughness to be that bell cow runner. Better still he’s most comfortable in a read-option style of system.
Markus Golden (EDGE)
It looked like Golden was destined for stardom after posting 12.5 sacks in 2016. Sadly those hopes were put on hold when he tore his ACL the next year. To make matters worse, Arizona shifted him to defensive end last season, away from his natural position at outside linebacker. His productivity suffered as a result. He’s healthy now though with a big chip on his shoulder.
Brian Poole (CB)
Chuck Pagano has said wreaking havoc is his goal as defensive coordinator. That requires players who know how to do so, namely by being able to blitz. Brian Poole has five sacks and 11 hits on the quarterback in three seasons. Safe to say he fits that billing. It’s uncertain why Atlanta chose to part ways considering he had career-highs in tackles (53), sacks (3), and interceptions (3) last season.
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (S)
Nobody is sure what happened to Clinton-Dix. He was a Pro Bowler just a few years ago. Then he rapidly had a falling out in Green Bay. Maybe it was hidden injuries or maybe the loss of his coordinator Dom Capers hampered him. Either way, he was traded to Washington. He is still young and there is plenty of time for him to regain his old form. He does have 11 interceptions over the past three seasons.
Tier 3: Depth and special teams
Ty Montgomery (RB)
Another castoff from Green Bay who grew unhappy with the team. This was due more to never getting a fair shot to play on offense. He wanted more opportunities and never got them. He’s got skill as both a runner and receiver. Nobody has been willing to take the chance yet though.
Tyler Eifert (TE)
Some players are just haunted by bad luck. Few can say that more than Tyler Eifert. Once a Pro Bowl tight end in Cincinnati, his career has been marred by a ridiculous string of freak injuries. He’s a talented pass catcher (had 13 touchdowns in 2015). It’s a matter of will he ever get over the health problems? A one-year deal may be worth finding out.
Terrell Suggs (EDGE)
Calling somebody like Suggs “depth” might seem a bit demeaning to his obvious stature as one of the best pass rushers this side of the millennium. It’s more accurate to say he’d be a great third pass rusher option who would alternate snaps with Khalil Mack and Leonard Floyd while rushing the quarterback. Something he’s still so good at even at 37-years old.
Rashaan Melvin (CB)
A longtime journeyman of the NFL, Melvin spent the past year in Oakland where he had an up and down season. Before that, he had a productive run with the Indianapolis Colts, the same time that Pagano was still the head coach. Melvin isn’t too old and has proven to be a competent option in coverage. He’d make a good #3 guy behind Amukamara and Fuller.
J.J. Wilcox (S)
Nobody will ever mistake him for an Amos clone, but if a team is looking for a poor man’s version of Amos? J.J. Wilcox fits the mold. He is a pure box safety with good physicality and tackling prowess. He had some strong moments during his time in Dallas but his lack of dependability in coverage got him replaced. Maybe the Bears can get more out of him.
