The Chicago Bears have around $100 million in salary cap space this off-season. It’s a safe assumption GM Ryan Poles will be busy on March 15th when the new league year begins. He has several roster holes to fill. While nobody knows how aggressive the Bears will be, they will definitely look to sign multiple players who can help improve their roster. What nobody knows is who those players will be. Speculation is rampant. Expectations are that the Bears will focus on offensive tackle and defensive tackle.
However, that won’t be the end of it. Other positions need help too. Recent reports surfaced with several names the team is eyeing. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune was up first, indicating they have eyes for a versatile center/guard from Washington.
“It sounds as if the Bears could have interest in interior lineman Wes Schweitzer, 29, who spent the last three seasons with the Commanders. He can play guard and center and played his first three seasons with the Atlanta Falcons working under Bears line coach Chris Morgan.”
Schweitzer was a 6th round pick for the Falcons in 2016.
Over the next few years, he earned extended playing time as a guard. He primarily stayed on the left side but would shift to the right side when circumstances required. Washington deployed him more often at center over the past two seasons. While he can start, he’s better served as a high-end backup. He won’t be alone. Jordan Schultz of The Score had three other names Chicago hopes to look into.
“The Bears should be in the mix on linebacker Bobby Okereke, according to league sources (more on Okereke in our March 1 update). And two other names to keep tabs on: safety Marcus Epps, who is trending upward, and cornerback Jonathan Jones, who’s a sleeper in free agency.”
Okereke played under Matt Eberflus in Indianapolis. He knows the type of defense the Bears play. They need help at linebacker. It’s a natural connection. Epps is a former Vikings 6th round pick who landed in Philadelphia before the end of his rookie year. He established himself as a solid backup and emerged as an unexpected starter at safety for the Eagles, finishing with 94 tackles and six passes defended. As for Jones, the veteran corner had a career-high four interceptions for the Patriots last year. He can be a nice veteran presence in the Bears’ young secondary.
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Chicago Bears are clearly seeking out affordable upgrades.
Schweitzer would give them much-needed depth on the offensive line. They didn’t have enough last season. Okereke would start alongside Jack Sanborn at linebacker. He’d provide more length and knowledge of the system. Jones is an easy upgrade over Kindle Vildor at their second outside cornerback spot opposite Jaylon Johnson. That would allow Kyler Gordon to play with more freedom. As for Epps, he is the most curious one. While he is ascending as a player, the Bears don’t really need safety help. Eddie Jackson will return from his foot injury next season, and Jaquan Brisker shined as a rookie. It seems unlikely Epps would sign into a backup role after starting 17 games for the NFC champions.
Either way, these reports prove that Poles is sticking by his word. He doesn’t want to use free agency as the primary means of building the Chicago Bears roster. He wants to be smart and selective with his signings. Don’t overpay for B-grade players. There will likely be at least one splash signing. Just don’t expect a bonanza.
Well, Martin, that means the Bears have to spend 90 million dollars this year, resigning, and signings thru free agency. That still going to leave the Bears 10 million for next year plus 22 million dollars dead cap space. So, I hope that they collect a few pics extra this year for next. It’s great to be a Bears fan now. Thanks for your research.
I get the feeling no matter who the Bears sign in free agency it won’t be good enough for a lot of fans. There just won’t be many splash signings and folks need to be ready for that.
I’m not impressed with these options
Don’t be surprised if the Bears trade down to Carolina or Tennessee because they might get a good player at a position of need in the first round this year and they might also get a first rounder in 24 and 25 from either of these teams as well.
It won’t happen, but with Carter falling, the bears should trade down to the 4th pick with the Colts and grab future picks. Then at 4, trade back again between 7-9 and again grab more picks, maybe a player and then take Carter if available or Skoronski, or best available. Is a guy at 4 that much more impactful then a guy you grab at 7, 8, or 9 if you get a boatload of draft capital?!