The 2020 NFL free agency period is probably the most unique in history. Both because of how weirdly loaded the quarterback market has been but also because of how many notable players are still available. This is due in large part to the COVID-19 pandemic. The necessity of devoting medical resources to battling the virus has made conducting player physicals difficult. Thus teams have shied away from agreeing to deals with a number of players who might have medical concerns. Could the Chicago Bears profit from this?
One common theme with free agency is the longer it goes on, the more likely players will have to drop their asking prices. It’s already started happening to a number of guys who probably should’ve gotten more than they signed for. Around this time players will accept one-year deals at a bargain rate in order to have the opportunity to improve their value for the next offseason.
Here is a list of notable names still available:
- Kelechi Osemele
- Ron Leary
- Cordy Glenn
- Jadeveon Clowney
- Markus Golden
- Everson Griffen
- Ezekiel Ansah
- Damon Harrison
- Nigel Bradham
- Logan Ryan
- Bashaud Breeland
- Darqueze Dennard
- Ross Cockrell
- Tony Jefferson
- Eric Reid
- Deone Bucannon
Obviously the Bears aren’t going to land someone like Clowney who is bound to still command good money. However, the odds are in their favor that at least one of the players on that list might consider joining their roster on a bargain rate.
Chicago Bears could really benefit in the DB market
Probably the best chance the Bears have of accomplishing this would be the defensive back market. They did it last year when they managed to corral Ha Ha Clinton-Dix on a one-year deal for just $3 million. Given the strength of the Bears front seven, especially after the addition of Robert Quinn to their pass rush, it shouldn’t be too hard to lure one of those guys in for a chance to play behind it.
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Ryan would be a terrific addition at cornerback. Despite being 30-years old, he was really good in 2019 for the Tennessee Titans. Quarterbacks had a modest 88.7 passer rating when throwing in his direction. Then there is Tony Jefferson. He was released by Baltimore due to an untimely injury last season but when healthy is one of the better strong safeties in the league. He’d make a great compliment to Eddie Jackson on the back end.
The point is don’t count the Bears out of the market just because they’ve gone silent. With enough time, there is still a strong possibility they have one more bold move in them.
