The Chicago Bears have done some solid work thus far during this offseason. They secured Eddie Jackson to a long-term extension. Danny Trevathan returns on a three-year deal. Jimmy Graham arrived to help the tight end position. Robert Quinn significantly upgrades their pass rush and of course Nick Foles arrives to make things interesting at quarterback. While not the most popular moves to some, the team definitely looks better on paper.
If that weren’t enough, GM Ryan Pace has conducted his work in such a fashion that the team is projected to have four compensatory picks in the 2021 draft. This courtesy of free agents Nick Williams, Cornelius Lucas, Kevin Pierre-Louis, and Chase Daniel signing with other teams. This is before Ha Ha Clinton-Dix even signs with a new team.
If that holds, the Bears could have 11 picks in the draft next year, which would be a big help. That leaves the question. Are they done in free agency? At least involving big moves? Not necessarily.
A source I trust, one who tipped me off to the Bears’ interest in Teddy Bridgewater last month, told me the team might not be done yet. While their money situation is tight, there are some notable names left on the market they might take a swing at if the price comes low enough. Included were wide receivers Robby Anderson and Emmanuel Sanders, safeties Vonn Bell and Tony Jefferson, and pass rusher Markus Golden.
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Chicago Bears still have key needs to fill
Most of those players make sense for the Bears. Anderson is one of the better deep threats in the NFL. A guy with legitimate speed. Something the Bears offense doesn’t have, especially after the release of Taylor Gabriel. Sanders isn’t as much of a speed demon but his pristine route running prowess allows him to get open a lot.
With Clinton-Dix likely gone, the Bears have a hole at safety next to Jackson. Word is they would prefer somebody who is closer to a strong safety type. Something Clinton-Dix wasn’t last year, which forced Jackson to fill that void himself. Both Bell and Jefferson are classic strong safeties. They thrive around the line of scrimmage, making tackles and creating havoc as blitzers.
As for Golden? The Bears already secured Quinn for their pass rush, but they do need a guy for the #3 situational role. For whatever reason, Golden’s market hasn’t developed. This despite 10 sacks last year for the Giants. Maybe if things don’t go his way he might take an affordable one-year deal to play on a great defense before trying again in 2021.
Now keep in mind this doesn’t guarantee anything. It means Pace is remaining opportunistic but disciplined. If the situation presents itself that he thinks he can get one of these guys at a discount, he’s making sure the Bears are ready to pounce.
