The “legal tampering period” of NFL free agency begins ONE WEEK FROM TODAY. In other words, the exclusivity period is coming to an end. So before we dive into the free agent pool, it seems like a good time to explore which Bears players are on the cusp of free agency.
OFFENSE
• Mitchell Trubisky, quarterback
• Allen Robinson II, wide receiver
• Cordarrelle Patterson, wide receiver/running back/kick returner/Director of Recruiting
• Germain Ifedi, offensive lineman
• Demetrius Harris, tight end
• Jason Spriggs, offensive lineman
• Rashaad Coward, offensive lineman (restricted)
I don’t imagine Cordarrelle Patterson is alone in feeling this way:
https://twitter.com/ceeflashpee84/status/1367667730078384128
Re-signing Allen Robinson II should’ve been prioritized at this time last year. Instead, a long-term extension doesn’t appear to be in the cards. However, with the Franchise Tag deadline coming on Tuesday, I expect to have clarity regarding Robinson’s situation in short order. As for Patterson, his contributions are underrated. Between his efforts as a return specialist and as a gunner on coverage teams, Patterson does a lot to help the Bears win the field-position battle. That the offense often wastes those efforts is neither here nor there. Patterson does his job,
Germain Ifedi was an invaluable piece of the offensive line puzzle, if only for his versatility and willingness to play right tackle after the bye. Chicago signed Ifedi to move him inside, but moved him back to tackle out of necessity when things fell apart in the middle of the season. All things considered, the Bears could do worse than bringing Ifedi back and planting him in a role as a swing guard/tackle.
There is a underlying feeling that a clean break between Mitchell Trubisky and this organization would be best for both parties. And it’s possible both the Bears and Trubisky feel the same way. But neither Matt Nagy nor Ryan Pace ruled out a Trubisky return for 2021. Then again, neither made a strong case that would suggest re-signing Trubisky was a priority. Sometimes, it’s what you don’t say that speaks volumes.
DEFENSE
• Tashaun Gipson, safety
• Artie Burns, cornerback
• Deon Bush, safety
• Mario Edwards, defensive end
• DeAndre Houston-Carson, safety
• John Jenkins, nose tackle
• Michael Joseph, cornerback (exclusive-rights)
• Daniel McCullers, nose tackle
• Sherrick McManis, cornerback/safety
• Barkevious Mingo, linebacker
• Roy Robertson-Harris, defensive end
• Brent Urban, defensive end
This list is littered with key contributors. And while Tashaun Gipson is the only starter of the bunch, the collection of talent above is a testament to the Bears’ ability to scout, sign, and develop defensive talent.
Deon Bush, DeAndre Houston-Carson, and Sherrick McManis are core special teamers who chip in throughout the defensive backfield when necessary. Seeing Mario Edwards, John Jenkins, and Brent Urban here serve as a reminder of how good Chicago has been at finding defensive line talent in free agency. Same can be said about unearthing Roy Robertson-Harris as an undrafted free agent.
Remember when Artie Burns was briefly in a camp competition for a starting job? Here’s hoping that ACL injury he suffered in training camp will be healthy sooner, rather than later.
SPECIAL TEAMS
• Cairo Santos, kicker
• Eddy Piñeiro, kicker (restricted free agent)
• Pat O’Donnell, punter
• Patrick Scales, long-snapper
• DeAndre Carter, punt returner/wide receiver (restricted)
• Dwayne Harris, punt returner/wide receiver
Thinking about how the entire Bears kicking mechanism is one week from free agency makes me itchy. I think we can take solid and dependable special teams for granted. To take it a step further, I think we should take real effort in making sure quality special teams play doesn’t go underrated.
Maybe the Bears can upgrade from Pat O’Donnell as a punter. But finding a punter is the least of the Bears’ concerns this offseason. Re-signing Cairo Santos should be the priority. In an ideal world, the Bears would’ve signed Robinson to an extension, leaving the Franchise or Transition Tag to be used on Santos. Because, let’s face it, paying a kicker a load of money on a long-term deal is going to make some fans nervous because of what happened with Cody Parkey. So perhaps a prove-it deal for Santos after a season in which he missed just two kicks is in order?