The Chicago Bears still have the most salary cap space in the NFL and will have the fourth-most going into 2024. That is exactly how GM Ryan Poles wanted it. From the start, he aimed to build through the draft and maintain as much cap flexibility as possible. You can dabble in free agency but never go on a spending spree. That is what he did this off-season, with his only big purchase being linebacker Tremaine Edmunds at $18 million per year. Nate Davis was the next closest at a modest $10 million.
That means Poles has the green light to take another big swing if he so chooses. What remains unknown is who it might be for when the time comes. To get a little taste of the future, here is a handful of projected 2024 free agents that feel like obvious targets the Bears should pursue.
Chicago Bears will have some good options next spring.
Chase Young (DE, Washington Commanders)
The trade rumors are well-documented at this point. It’s pretty clear Washington won’t sign him to a contract extension over Montez Sweat. At least not unless Young has a ridiculous 2023 season. If they won’t trade him, then it’s probable he will be a free agent. Nobody can dispute the former #2 overall pick is talented. He flashed brilliance as a rookie before injuries blunted his progress. He’s still only 25, with plenty of time to recapture his old form. His relationship with Justin Fields is also something that should be noted. Young is a gamble, but the exact kind the Bears would take.
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Brian Burns (DE, Carolina Panthers)
The odds of Carolina somehow letting Burns walk feels astronomical. He’s their best defensive player and one of the best pass rushers in the NFL. He has 30.5 sacks in the past three seasons. There is no way the Panthers let that walk, right? If, by some miracle, they do, the Bears should be waiting with bags of cash. He is everything they need in a defensive end: big, long, athletic, and violent. Poles almost acquired him in the blockbuster trade for the #1 pick, so we know the Bears GM is a fan.
Darnay Holmes (CB, New York Giants)
One player under more pressure this year than people think is Kyler Gordon. The Chicago Bears really need him to step up because nickel corner is one of the most important positions in the entire Tampa-2 scheme. If he can’t show progress after an inconsistent rookie season, the team brass must think about alternatives. Holmes was quietly a vital cog of the Giants’ defense last year, posting an 85.8 passer rating against in 330 coverage snaps. He’s only allowed one touchdown across three seasons in the NFL.
Terence Steele (OT, Dallas Cowboys)
The Bears have high hopes for Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright. They should. Both are big, athletic, and have loads of room to grow. That said, neither can be considered a long-term fixture yet. Jones is under more pressure to perform this year. If he doesn’t, the team may have to consider alternatives at left tackle. Steele has become a quality blocker in Dallas, especially in pass protection. He gave up only 20 pressures last season. Most of his work has come on the right side, but he does have experience on the left. Coaches can figure out whether he or Wright can make the switch were they to sign him.
Michael Pittman Jr. (WR, Indianapolis Colts)
If Chase Claypool doesn’t do enough to earn an extension with the Bears, he will leave as a free agent next March. That will leave a void in their receiving corps regarding size. They’d need a bigger target that can complement D.J. Moore and Darnell Mooney. Pittman is the perfect option in this regard. He’s 6’3 with a well-proportioned frame, strong hands, and smooth route-running skills. He plays up to his size, too, outfighting defensive backs in contested situations. The Bears need somebody like that.
Chase seems like the only person to go to free agency from this list. Pittman will not go b/c of the young qb in the colts.
At this point the Bears are very much in ‘if then else’ mode. Much will depend on how well their rooks and 2nd year guys do. But it’s never too early to scout. I’d prefer the Bears stick to the draft. There are some excellent blue chip edge rushers in next years draft and at WR there’s Marvin Harrison Jr (I’m having fantasies of Moore and Harrison Jr. being the next Moss and Carter, Bruce and Holt or Rice and Taylor). Much will depend on where they fall with their two 1st round picks. I fully expect Harrison Jr. to… Read more »
Pittman would be interesting.
Agree with Anthony below. And unless Chase balls out and has an injury free season he’s not going to be worth the money he will want. He’s suffered a completely blown knee, not just an ACL. Not many players have come back from that returning to the same level of play from pre injury. I personally don’t think he will be able too. There’s also 0% chance that Burns leaves. At the bare minimum they franchise tag him. If there was any chance of Carolina letting him walk they would have included him in the trade with 1 year left… Read more »
Pending on what happens with Claypool and Mooney, Pittman Jr will be the best one out of all these. We addressed the CB position in the draft. I don’t know if we need an OT now, unless this guys is a swing tackle. Burns will be franchised. And Young could get injured again. So yeah, I would hold off on circling names yet.