The Chicago Bears want to build through the draft. That is not a bad thing. However, they have to do work in free agency this year. There is no choice. The roster is far too depleted to expect eight draft picks can turn it around. GM Ryan Poles has accepted this. He promised he’d make smart decisions for the franchise. While he won’t go crazy with the spending, there are reasons to think he will take two or three aggressive swings. It comes down to who is available when the market opens this March.
One of the biggest names out there is defensive tackle Da’Ron Payne. After years of modest production in Washington, he exploded for 11.5 sacks in 2022, finally realizing the massive potential he showed at Alabama. He turns 26 years old in May. The guy is squarely in his prime. If anybody should be considered a prime target for the Bears, it’s him. They desperately need interior pass rush help. Will he be available is the question. Draft insider Charlie Campbell of WalterFootball has it on good authority that this will be the case.
Most around the league expect it.
“Sources from around the league think there is a good chance that Payne will not get hit with the franchise tag. The Commanders have to account for looming contract extensions for Montez Sweat and Chase Young. Fellow defensive tackle Jonathan Allen already received a big contract, and Washington drafted Alabama defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis in the second round last year. Additionally, the Commanders could be in the market for an expensive veteran quarterback.
The organization also decided to give Allen a big contract and did not negotiate an extension with Payne prior to his huge 2022 season. Here is a reason why per a source with the Commanders: “The [top decision makers] liked him, but weren’t in love with him. Daron has so much potential, but never tapped in as much as they would have liked.” Hence, many around the NFL think Payne stands a good chance of hitting the open market.”
The Chicago Bears can pay Payne. Can they recruit him?
That will be the biggest thing. There will be no shortage of teams that want his services this spring. Plenty will be willing to offer him big money. The Bears can match anything they throw at him. The challenge for Poles will be convincing the defensive tackle to come to Chicago. This team had the worst record in the NFL this season at 3-14. A rebuild is underway. Free agents don’t always like the idea of joining an organization that appears so far away from a Super Bowl. Money will be the key, but so will selling the vision for where this team is going.
Payne may like the idea of becoming a focal point of the Chicago Bears’ looming turnaround. He would be a great first step in retooling arguably one of the worst defensive lines in franchise history. It’s humiliating when a rookie safety finishes with the most sacks on the team. Poles may not want to spend irresponsibly, but Payne is one of those few free agents who can be a genuine difference-maker for his team. It will be fascinating to see how things unfold five weeks from now.
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