Chicago Bears sign Ryan Mundy
New York Giants free safety Ryan Mundy (21) reacts after he recovered a Denver Broncos fumble in the end zone in the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Mills/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago Bears desperately need help in the secondary, and they made one step at the safety position today by signing Ryan Mundy to a two-year deal. Bears beat writer Zach Zaidman tweeted out that the team announced the move, and the Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs reported during the legal tampering period that the Bears showed interest in Mundy.
I’m not a big fan of the signing if the Bears don’t add another safety, because they need to make a big upgrade at the position. While Mundy is a nice little signing, he isn’t a solution to the Bears big problem, which is their lack of deep coverage at safety. Chris Conte and Major Wright were disasters under Mel Tucker in his first, awful year as Chicago Bears defensive coordinator, and I think the Mundy signing signifies that both players will be upgraded.
Mundy is a pure in-the-box strong safety who is very good in run defense and on special teams, but he offers nothing in coverage. I’m sure this was a cheap deal, and I like this two-year signing for the Bears if they can make an upgrade at CB with Charles Tillman departing and another upgrade at safety. The Bears also have interest in Mike Mitchell, who could as a FS after having a successful season there for the Carolina Panthers in 2013. Mundy helps, but the Bears probably aren’t done upgrading the safety position.