The Chicago Bears are on the cusp of beginning their free agency plans with the legal tampering window set to open. While unlikely to be the most active team on the market, they should be expected to aggressively pursue one or two players to help fill key spots on their roster. However, like any offseason event of player acquisition, there should be a list of names to stay away from. Players who, for one reason or another, are way too risky to consider.
That is what we will cover here. Five names that, while alluring for their high points in the past should not be anywhere near the top of the Bears’ priority list. If signed they will end up proving to be disappointments. Not just random names either. Guys who continue to get considerable buzz. Just remember the classic phrase: buyer beware.
Chicago Bears must take these free agents off the board
Jameis Winston (QB)
Care to know who the last quarterback was to win a Super Bowl despite throwing more than 20 interceptions in a season? That was Eli Manning in 2007. No less than 13 years ago. He’s been the only one since the turn of the new millennium by the way. Winston throwing for over 5,000 yards was a fun stat. He’s a talented guy who clearly has no fear. However, his recklessness with the football costs his team games. It’s impossible to win a championship this day and age with a QB who can’t protect it.
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Austin Hooper (TE)
Good fortune smiles upon Hooper. Look, he had a solid year in 2019 with over 780 yards and six touchdowns. Yet let’s be honest. He’s a good tight end. He’s not a star. Rest assured though, he is about to get paid like one. The tight end market is razor-thin this year. Not just in free agency, which saw one of its top names in Hunter Henry get franchise tagged. The NFL draft is reportedly lacking notable options as well. This means somebody is going to overpay for Hooper. The Bears, who likely now have less than $20 million in cap space, cannot be that team.
Demarcus Robinson (WR)
Remember that classic saying. “A rising tide lifts all boats.” It applies perfectly to Robinson. He made some nice plays last season and helped the Kansas City Chiefs win the Super Bowl. This has made him a popular name on the free agent circuit. Just like Trey Burton started to trend after the Eagles won the title back in 2017. The Bears cannot repeat this mistake again. Robinson is a decent third or fourth option in a passing game. Nothing about him suggests he will elevate this offense.
Ezekiel Ansah (EDGE)
This time of year it becomes easy to get attracted to big names. Guys who were great once upon a time. Ansah is a perfect example. The veteran pass rusher had 12 sacks in 2017. In just 13 games too. Rest assured though. He isn’t that player anymore. Injuries began to plague him starting in 2018, with a shoulder problem causing him to miss nine games. Then last year he missed five games with a combination of ankle and neck problems. Ansah had just 6.5 sacks in that span.
Karl Joseph (S)
Pace himself said the most important ability is “availability.” Joseph is a good player with the kind of physicality and instinct teams look for in a strong safety. He’d make a great fit alongside Eddie Jackson on the back end. There’s just one problem. He has never played a full season in his career. Since 2018 alone he has missed 10 games combined with injuries. Joseph is a solid run defender but he can be a liability in coverage thanks to his size. The Bears should have better options.
