Despite not making many impact moves in the NFL free agency so far, Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles can find great deals now that the initial frenzy died down.
Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles stated that we shouldn’t expect very many initial deals when the free agency frenzy began two weeks ago. He stayed true to his word and avoided making splashy signings. In fact, he found bargain-basement deals on players who haven’t exactly made an impact in the league yet.
Many fans felt disappointed in what Poles did. Despite being linked to nearly every big name in free agency, Poles signed none of them. He wasn’t going to get into a bidding war with anyone and he certainly didn’t.
Now that the initial frenzy died down, however, there are a few available names who could be had for a nice bargain. These players could make an impact more than the sixth-rounders or undrafted players Poles picked up.
Things seem to be set up the way Poles might have thought. He still has a good amount of cap space and could pick up a steal or two.
Over The Cap has the Bears with about $17 million of cap space still available. However, that includes the salaries of Tarik Cohen and Danny Trevathan, who are cut but with a post-June 1st designation. Additionally, there could be other cuts or trades for draft picks that should free up more space (Nick Foles, for example).
As a result, the Bears are still in a position to fill out the roster with quality players on team-friendly deals.
Top players to target now in NFL free agency
With a number of positions still open on the roster, here is a list of players who could help fill them:
Cornerback
At cornerback, there are two players who could really help settle down the cornerbacks room. They have enjoyed great success and are at the end of their careers but they could be incredible mentors to Jaylon Johnson and to whoever the Bears draft. Keep in mind, as time passes, the price falls so the Bears could be in place to make good pickups.
Stephon Gilmore
The first to talk about is Stephon Gilmore. Gilmore languished on a terrible Carolina Panthers team. He’s looking to come back and end his career on a high note. That could mean playing on a contending team. It could, however, also mean him helping a storied franchise return from irrelevancy.
Gilmore has a tendency to be around the ball. He played in only eight games last season, but still managed two interceptions. In a 17-game season, that averages out to four in a full season. Remember, also, that he is only two years removed from his league-leading 6 interceptions and 20 passes defended.
Patrick Peterson
The other player is Patrick Peterson. He spent last season with the Minnesota Vikings so he got an idea of playing in the NFC North.
In 13 games in 2021, he had an interception, 5 passes defended, and 45 tackles. He wants to stay in Minnesota but the Vikings haven’t reciprocated his love and they picked up Za’Darius Smith. Once Peterson realizes that his time in Minnesota might be over he could decide to stay in the North and sign with Chicago.
Offensive Line
Poles stated that his priority this offseason was fixing the offensive line. It’s something that we’ve heard from countless Chicago Bears general managers before, only to see them ignore the position.
Some fans feel Poles is doing more of the same. He signed Lucas Patrick to become the new center but hasn’t done anything else other than to sign a very bad player in Dakota Dozier (46 pressures and 6 sacks allowed, along with 9 penalties the last time he played on the line in 2020). He also allowed James Daniels, arguably the best offensive lineman on the roster, to leave via free agency.
-
Ep 161: Lions Dissapoint; NFL MVP; Week 12 Discussion
by Full Press Coverage on November 27, 2023 at 12:12 am
It genuinely looks at this moment that the line is actually worse now than in 2021.
That could change with a nice free agency pickup at a bargain price.
Around FPC
NFL News: Key Comings and goings
NFL NEWS: Raiders Opinion: Tae Day And Everybody’s Celebratin’
NFL DRAFT: 2022 NFL Draft Profile: OG Kenyon Green
NFL MOCK DRAFT: FPC 2022 NFL Mock Draft 1.0: Lions Snag Malik Willis
NHL: NHL Insights: Tyler Toffoli Trade, Jack Eichel’s Return and Wild West
PODCAST: NFL Changes OT Rules
Eric Fisher
Eric Fisher would be a good pickup for the Bears. He is still 31 and has a few more good years ahead of him. He would fit in with the new offense we’ll see from offensive coordinator Luke Getsy.
Apparently, it appears that Poles isn’t married to the idea of Teven Jenkins at left tackle. He could decide to move him over to right tackle. That’s where he spent most of his college career playing. Then he could move Larry Borom to right guard to replace Daniels. However, Borom might also become a left tackle. He is still raw, so having a bridge tackle would help.
Fisher could be that bridge.
Duane Brown
Duane Brown is another option. He is certainly older than Fisher at 36, but he can still play. Besides, he is younger than Jason Peters, who the Bears picked up from a fishing trip last year so he could play.
Brown is still a very good tackle and would be great defending Justin Fields‘ blind side. He also adds some of the toughness that Poles stated was missing with the Chicago Bears’ line last season. Furthermore, Brown gives the Bears an incredible leader in the locker room as well as on the field.
Linebacker
Bobby Wagner
The Chicago Bears switched to a 3-4 base defense when head coach Matt Eberflus took over. Why not pick up one of the greatest 3-4 linebackers to ever play, Bobby Wagner?
For whatever reason, the Seattle Seahawks unceremoniously cut Wagner about three weeks ago. He didn’t even get the news of his cut from the team! Incredibly, he is still available.
It is a fantastic thought to have Wagner playing alongside Roquan Smith. Wagner is still one of the top linebackers in the NFL. He has eight consecutive Pro Bowl appearances and made All-Pro First Team in six of them. He is also durable, missing only 10 games in 10 seasons.
The Bears have a history of having some of the best linebackers in league history. They have a chance at having two of them at the same time. In 2021, the two combined for 333 tackles (15 for loss), 8 passes defended, 4 sacks, and 4 quarterback hits.
Having those two players on the same team would bring back the Monsters of the Midway. It’ll make any Chicago Bears fan giddy with excitement, something sorely missing recently.
-
Ep 180: Hall of Fame Class Of 2024 Semifinalists Discussionby Full Press Coverage on November 28, 2023 at 7:02 pm
Ira and Clark dissect the 2024 Hall of Fame class semifinalists. Learn […]
-
Ep 179: Hall of Famer Drew Pearson Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2023 at 5:14 pm
Hall of Fame wide receiver Drew Pearson returns to the show to talk to […]
-
Ep 178: Patriots, Eagles, 49ers, and More With Joe Bannerby Full Press Coverage on November 18, 2023 at 3:00 am
Former NFL executive Joe Banner returns to the show to talk with Clark and […]
-
Ep 177: Hall of Famer Mel Blount Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on November 11, 2023 at 1:00 am
Former Steeler and Pro Football Hall of Famer Mel Blount joins Clark and […]
-
Texas A&M hiring process revealed some of their internal problemsby LandryFootball.com on November 28, 2023 at 4:30 pm
For much of the day Saturday, Texas A&M appeared to be on a collision […]
-
What we learned in week 12 in the NFLby LandryFootball.com on November 27, 2023 at 1:00 pm
This season continues to be one of surprises. Up seems down and vice […]
-
Ep 315: Week 12 Fantasy Football Previewby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2023 at 3:46 am
-
Ep 314: Week 11 Fantasy Football Previewby Full Press Coverage on November 15, 2023 at 3:18 am
-
Ep 313: Week 10 Fantasy Football Previewby Full Press Coverage on November 9, 2023 at 1:53 am
-
Ep 312: 2023 NFL Trade Deadlineby Full Press Coverage on November 2, 2023 at 1:03 pm
-
Ep 197: Recapping Weeks 11 & 12by Full Press Coverage on November 27, 2023 at 11:26 pm
This episode is a double-dip in a good way. Kyle Senra and Jesse Hall […]
-
Ep 196: Week 11 vs Chargersby Full Press Coverage on November 17, 2023 at 9:27 pm
In this solo show, Kyle Senra previews the Green Bay Packers Week 11 game […]
-
Renegades Of Puck Ep 827by Charlie Saunier on November 29, 2023 at 7:23 am
Ep 827 The Renegades Of Puck Recap 3-2 OT/W Vs Penguins Preview Wild & […]
-
ROP Recap Preds 3 Pens 2 F/OT Game 21 2023-24 NHL Seasonby Charlie Saunier on November 29, 2023 at 4:43 am
ROP Recap Preds 3 Pens 2 F/OT Game 21 2023-24 NHL Season Learn more about […]
-
Full Press Panthers - 11-28 - Florida Panthers win on the road against the Ottawa Senatorsby Full Press Coverage on November 28, 2023 at 4:50 pm
The Panthers get it done on the road in shutout form against the Senators. […]
-
Full Press Islanders - 11-27 - A Mixed weekend a great win and a bad lossby Full Press Coverage on November 27, 2023 at 6:25 pm
The Isles had mixed weekend with a win in Ottawa but followed it up with […]
-
Full Press Wild - 11-27 - Recapping the two weekend games for the Wild.by Full Press Coverage on November 27, 2023 at 2:30 pm
Weekend games, Detroit, Colorado, losses. Learn more about your ad […]
-
Full Press Panthers - 11-27 - Florida Panthers lose back to back at home against the Winnipeg Jetsby Full Press Coverage on November 27, 2023 at 2:30 pm
Post-Thanksgiving, the Panthers did not look good in this shutout loss. […]
-
11/27 - Thanksgiving Recap; Jalen Hurts, NFL News and Notesby Full Press Coverage on November 27, 2023 at 10:43 pm
Ian and John recap Thanksgiving weekend, discuss Jalen Hurts' moment, and […]
-
11/24 - Thanksgiving Recap, Jets/Dolphins, Week 12 Picksby Full Press Coverage on November 24, 2023 at 3:47 pm
Ian and John react to all of the action on Thanksgiving Day and look ahead […]
-
11/23 - Thanksgiving Day Preview, Tom Brady, Top 5 NFL Teamsby Full Press Coverage on November 23, 2023 at 3:11 pm
Ian and John discuss the Thanksgiving Day slate of games in the NFL, Tom […]
-
11/21- MNF Reaction, Eagles Handle Chiefs, NFL MVPby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2023 at 3:31 am
Ian and John react to the Eagles win over the Chiefs on Monday Night […]
-
11/20 - Week 11 Reactions, MVP Race, MNF Previewby Full Press Coverage on November 20, 2023 at 3:08 pm
Ian and John react to Sunday's NFL action, talk MVP, and preview MNF […]
-
11/17 - Ravens Handle Bengals, Injury Concerns, Week 11 Picksby Full Press Coverage on November 17, 2023 at 6:50 pm
Ian and John recap the Ravens win over the Bengals and discuss the […]
-
Ep 2: Top 5 Super Bowls Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 3:26 pm
Ian Glendon and John Sapochetti give their Top 5 Super Bowls of all time. […]
-
Ep 1: The Top 10 Quarterbacks Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 8:42 pm
On the first episode of 'According To Who?', host Ian Glendon and John […]
-
FPH Daily: Patrick Kane Signs, Wild Make Coaching Changeby Full Press Coverage on November 28, 2023 at 5:24 pm
-
Seahawks at Cowboysby Broken Controller Media on November 28, 2023 at 4:55 pm
-
Bulls at Celtics - Thunder at Timberwolves - Rockets at Mavericks - Warriors at Kingsby Broken Controller Media on November 28, 2023 at 1:00 pm
-
Raptors at Nets - Pelicans at Knicks - Bucks at Heat - Hawks at Cavaliersby Broken Controller Media on November 28, 2023 at 12:30 pm
-
Ep 197: Recapping Weeks 11 & 12by Full Press Coverage on November 27, 2023 at 11:26 pm
-
11/27 - Thanksgiving Recap; Jalen Hurts, NFL News and Notesby Full Press Coverage on November 27, 2023 at 10:43 pm
-
Rivalry, Royalty & Riches - Nov. 27, 2023by Full Press Coverage on November 27, 2023 at 8:00 pm
-
Full Press MMA - 11-27 - MMA Junkie’s 30 Greatest Fighters of All-Timeby Full Press Coverage on November 27, 2023 at 4:00 pm
-
Pelicans at Jazz - Nuggets at Clippersby Broken Controller Media on November 27, 2023 at 3:00 pm
-
Lakers at 76ers - Trail Blazers at Pacers - Wizards at Pistonsby Broken Controller Media on November 27, 2023 at 2:00 pm
-
AEW Full Gear 2023 Review and Roman Reigns Inflated Title Streakby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again as he breaks down AEW Full Gear 2023. What […]
-
AEW Full Gear 2023 Previewby Full Press Coverage on November 17, 2023 at 8:08 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again getting you ready for AEW 2023 Full Gear […]
-
Ep 192 - Matt Morganby Full Press Coverage on November 25, 2023 at 3:00 pm
Matt Morgan is a 7-foot monster who had runs in both WWE and TNA. This […]