The Bears Need to Be Assertive, But Not Risky in Free Agency and Other Bullets

Every day that passes is a day closer to the start of free agency. It’s almost getting to the point when you’re playing the “are we there yet?” game in the car. Here’s hoping the end of the journey is as fulfilling as we all hope.

  • ESPN’s Kevin Seifert ranks the NFL’s best free agents, and quarterbacks take up the top three spots. We’ll keep our eyes on on what happens to Kirk Cousins, Drew Brees, and Case Keenum – who rank first, second, and third among Seifert’s free agents – because where they land could impact who goes in the draft ahead of the Bears. After that, Panthers guard Andrew Norwell is the top-rated non-quarterback, Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham checks in as the highest-rated offensive skill position player, and defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson pops up as the No. 1 defensive player. Fittingly enough, each of those players fits something of a need on the Bears’ roster.
  • Jaguars receiver Allen Robinson slides into the last spot in Seifert’s top 10 despite coming off a season-ending ACL injury. Robinson opened up about his concerns heading into free agency and how he remains focused on the rehabilitation process. Things sound good from his end, and as long as he progresses, I expect him to be rewarded with a quality payday.
  • ChicagoBears.com Senior Writer Larry Mayer offers a small window into what the team might do in free agency. “The Bears are clearly getting younger on defense this offseason, but I don’t think they will make addressing the defense a greater priority than the offense in either free agency or the draft,” Mayer explains in his most recent Q&A mailbag. “General manager Ryan Pace has acknowledged that wide receiver and pass rusher are two positions of need, so I expect those spots to be bolstered this offseason.”
  • Mayer also offered up the idea of the team’s top priority on the defensive side of the ball is to continue building through its young players already on the roster. The most notable names Mayer singles out happen to be players at positions where the Bears could make a change in the starting lineup. Defensive end Jonathan Bullard could slide into the starting role vacated by Mitch Unrein, who is entering free agency. Inside linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski projects to slide into the role once occupied by Jerrell Freeman, who has been released.
  • If we’re reading the tea leaves accurately, it doesn’t look like the Bears will be spending a significant amount of cap space on signing players at positions where they have drafted and developed guys who they think can slide into bigger roles in 2018. If those players are as good as the front office believes, then Pace’s drafting will soon be regarded higher than it is now. If not, then the Bears could be in a situation where they’re throwing good money to patch up shoddy drafting.
  • Over at Da Bears Brothers Blog, Nicholas Moreano believes the Bears must be aggressive in their free agency hunt. Pace has shelled out more than $100 million in guarantees over the course of three years as Chicago’s GM, but hasn’t been shopping for top-shelf items. Instead, the Bears have found a niche in the market signing serviceable players to modest, front-loaded deals to fill spots and keep the team’s cap situation in a tidy place. Now seems like a good time to strike with a more progressive plan of attack with an eye on possible impact players at the top of the market. Players like Robinson, Norwell, and Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson are players who could fit the bill at positions of need for the Bears who each happen to still be in their prime. Needless to say, Pace is in a must-win situation once free agency opens up.
  • [adinserter block=”9″]

  • In short, the Bears need to be assertive, but not careless in free agency. That’s quite a tight-rope Pace and his staff will be walking in less than a week. Then again, that’s the price you pay by not hitting on the draft. Over at NFL.com, columnist Adam Schein dials up the league’s riskiest free agents who will hit the market, headlined by the Minnesota Vikings’ three starting quarterbacks. Players of note who could pique the Bears’ interest are Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert, who has a Pro Bowl season under his belt but has been oft-injured since and Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson, who could end up signing with the Packers after visiting with the team, who was one a top-tier 3-4 defensive end before his production slid.
  • Had Pace not done well in plucking Jordan Howard and Tarik Cohen in each of the last two drafts, I’d be interested to know how the Bears view running back Doug Martin. When he’s on his game, he’s a dual threat back who was a star rookie in 2012, saw a drop-off in production, then became an All-Pro three years later. At 29, Schein is right to call Martin “a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside of an enigma.” Not that we would want Martin to take over Howard’s load, but having depth and talent at running back is often important to having a successful offense.
  • One of the Bears’ best offseason additions might not be someone who is signed as a free agent, acquired via a trade, or selected on draft day. Albert Breer of SI.com’s The MMQB absolutely gushes about the team’s hire of Harry Hiestand to coach the offensive line, which he calls the offseason’s most underrated hire. “We don’t talk much about position coaches here. But I’m going to give you one that I believe has a chance to be a big-time difference-maker for his first-time head coach,” Breer writes. “Matt Nagy did incredibly well to poach Hiestand, who’d been a target for a number of guys interviewing for jobs in January, from Notre Dame.” Hiestand returns to Chicago after working his magic developing offensive line prospects at the University of Tennessee, as well as Notre Dame.
  • It’s interesting to note that the Bears were losing highly regarded assistant coaches to colleges and elsewhere at this time last year, which was something of a red flag for us as we saw it unfold.
  • Not an unrestricted free agent because he was given the transition tag by the Bears, but Kyle Fuller was pretty good last year, eh:
  • written by

    Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and 11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.

    more bears news

    Rome Odunze Has a Visit With the Bears Coming Soon

    If you aren't already familiar with Rome Odunze's name or game, your time will come. The University of Washington wide receiver is one of the top prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. At this point of the year, I've officially...

    Matt Eberflus Opens a Window to the Chicago Bears Draft Plans

    NFL coaches are notoriously tight-lipped. And in his first two seasons as Bears head coach, Matt Eberflus has been no different. But every once in a while you'll catch Eberflus peel back the curtain and provide some insight regarding the...

    What Does a Chicago Bears NFL Draft Trade Down Look Like?

    You'd think we'd be well-versed in trade-back options after months of wondering what kind of haul it would take for the Bears to move off taking quarterback Caleb Williams with the first pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. But trading...

    D-Line Thoughts, Caleb, GM Seth Rollins, Pack Votes No, and Other Bears Bullets

    Cubs and White Sox opening day is today today. March Madness resumes with the Fighting Illini playing in the Sweet 16 later tonight. SIU, my alma mater, is reportedly hiring a "Coach Nagy" to lead its basketball team. And what...

    Dan Campbell is Happy To See Justin Fields Leave the NFC North

    There was no escaping the mixed emotions from Chicago Bears fans when the Justin Fields trade went down earlier this month. But there were none of that from Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell. Heck, I'd argue there was just...

    Another Pass Rusher Signs Elsewhere: Jadeveon Clowney Lands With the Panthers

    Another day. Another pass rusher signing. And another defensive lineman going to a team that isn't the Chicago Bears. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport was the first with the news of Jadeveon Clowney signing with the Carolina Panthers. Meanwhile, ESPN's...

    Malik Nabers Might’ve Run His Way Out of the Chicago Bears Draft Spot

    Today was LSU's Pro Day and Chicago Bears GM Ryan Poles was scheduled to be in attendance, per The Athletic's Adam Jahns. Assuming Poles made his flight, he got a good look at the likes of quarterback Jayden Daniels, as...

    Goodell on Bears Stadium Deal, No to Hard Knocks? More Old Friends Go to Steelers, and Other Bears Bullets

    I keep forgetting that I have a Starbucks gift card from Christmas that has gone unused to this point. Maybe I'll remember it next time I go out for coffee. A big shout out to PFF Brad, who made the...

    Ryan Poles Was Pissed Off By RGIII’s Comments About Caleb Williams Situation

    When I saw them pop up, RGIII's comments suggesting Caleb Williams pull an Eli Manning and refuse to play for the Chicago Bears were met with an eye-roll, audible groan, and immediate dismissal before moving onto more pertinent topics. But...

    Bears Stadium Update: Kevin Warren Reiterates Plans to Build in Downtown Chicago

    It sure is starting to sound like Arlington Heights fumbled the bag when it comes to locking in Arlington Park as the future home of a Chicago Bears stadium. While meeting with the media at the NFL owners meetings in...

    Latest News

    Washington State vs. Illinois Women’s Basketball: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    Two hot teams meet when the Washington State Cougars (21-14) host the Illinois Fighting Illini (17-15) on April 1, 2024. The Cougars will put their three-game win streak on the line against the Fighting Illini, who have won three straight.On...

    Villanova vs. Penn State Women’s Basketball: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Villanova Wildcats (21-12) will try to extend a three-game winning streak when they host the Penn State Lady Lions (22-12) on April 1, 2024. The Lady Lions have also won three games in a row.In its previous game, Villanova...

    Brewers vs. Mets Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Milwaukee Brewers are moneyline favorites (-110) to begin their season with a road win over the New York Mets on Friday at 1:40 PM ET, live on SNY.Freddy Peralta takes the mound for Milwaukee while Jose Quintana is New...

    Braves vs. Phillies Probable Starting Pitchers – March 29

    The Philadelphia Phillies (0-0) host the Atlanta Braves (0-0) in an Opening Day game at 3:05 PM ET on Friday.The Braves will look to Spencer Strider against the Phillies and Zack Wheeler.Braves vs. Phillies Pitcher Matchup and Game InfoWhen: Friday,...

    Suns vs. Thunder Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Friday, March 29, 2024

    Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder (50-22) are 2.5-point underdogs against Kevin Durant and the Phoenix Suns (43-30) Friday, March 29, 2024 at Paycom Center. The game starts at 8:00 PM ET on KSBI. The matchup's point total is...

    Brewers vs. Mets Probable Starting Pitchers – March 29

    The Milwaukee Brewers (0-0) begin their 2024 season with a road matchup against the New York Mets (0-0) on Friday, with first pitch at 1:40 PM ET.The Brewers will give the nod to Freddy Peralta versus the Mets and Jose...

    Cavaliers vs. 76ers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Philadelphia 76ers (39-34) are 8-point underdogs against the Cleveland Cavaliers (44-29) at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Friday, March 29, 2024. The game starts at 7:30 PM ET on NBCS. The matchup's point total is set at 212.5.Our computer predictions...

    Heat vs. Trail Blazers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Portland Trail Blazers (19-54) will attempt to end an eight-game losing streak when they visit the Miami Heat (39-33) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at FTX Arena as heavy, 14-point underdogs. The contest airs at 8:00 PM ET on...

    Rockets vs. Jazz Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Utah Jazz (29-44) will try to end a seven-game losing streak when they host the Houston Rockets (37-35) on Friday, March 29, 2024 at Vivint Smart Home Arena as 7.5-point underdogs. The contest airs at 9:30 PM ET on...

    Bulls vs. Nets Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Friday, March 29, 2024

    The Chicago Bulls (35-38) hit the court against the Brooklyn Nets (28-45) as 5.5-point favorites on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 7:30 PM ET on NBCS. The matchup has an over/under set at 214.5 points.Before you place an informed wager...

    more bears news