Chicago Bears Free Agency 2017: Who Stays, Who Goes?

With 2017 NFL free agency beginning shortly, looking at which Chicago Bears players should be re-signed and who they should let walk.

The new NFL year officially kicks off on March 9. On that date, teams can officially sign free agents and make trades. The Chicago Bears have over $58 million to spend, so they figure to be pretty active in the free agent market. For most teams, free agency starts with deciding which in-house free agents should be re-signed, and which should be kicked to the curb.

With this being said, let’s take a look at the Bears free agents and which ones should be kept or let go:

Quarterbacks: Brian Hoyer, Matt Barkley, Connor Shaw, David Fales

Both Shaw and Fales are restricted free agents, meaning the likelihood of them returning is relatively high (even if they are just “camp bodies”). The big question comes down between Hoyer and Barkley, as it seems doubtful that both will return. Neither is the long-term answer at quarterback, but both could be competent backups. Hoyer is the preferred choice to return, as he could start early in the season if the Bears draft a young quarterback. Barkley, on the other hand, probably has more upside than Hoyer, but his late season performance can’t be sitting too well with the front office.

Bottom Line: Expect Shaw and Fales to be re-signed and compete for third-string duties next season. The market for Hoyer figures to be much bigger than Barkely’s, meaning the former USC star is probably the Bears’ backup next season.

Offensive Linemen: Ted Larsen, Matt McCants, Mike Adams, Nick Becton

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There’s probably only one recognizable name in this group, and that’s Larsen. Larsen has an edge to him and played pretty well in limited action last year. McCants, Adams, and Becton were mostly inactive, and it would be a surprise if all three returned.

Bottom Line: The Bears have already signed Eric Kush to a two-year extension, meaning Larsen probably will be looking for a new home. Expect McCants and Becton to be re-signed to cheap deals and compete in training camp for a roster spot.

Wide Receivers: Alshon Jeffery, Marquess Wilson, Deonte Thompson, Josh Bellamy

The biggest free agent the Bears have is Jeffery, and he figures to command a big chunk of money. Whether it’s the Bears who give it to him is yet to be seen. Wilson simply cannot stay healthy, and I think it’s best for both sides to move on. Thompson is an average kick returner, and his impact on offense has been even less spectacular. As for Bellamy, he had his fair share of drops last season, but he’s an impact special teams player and a good player in the locker room.

Bottom Line: Jeffery did not get the franchise tag and will hit the free agent market; he’s likely a goner. Wilson and Thompson will only be re-signed if the price is right or if the Bears just simply need more bodies on training camp. Bellamy is a restricted free agent, and he figures to be back. Let’s just hope, for his sake, that he doesn’t drop the pen when signing his new contract!

Tight Ends: Logan Paulsen, Daniel Brown

Paulsen is known for his blocking, but last year, he was known for his costly penalties. Tight end is an area of need for the Bears, and the team could do a lot better than having Paulsen as the primary backup. Brown, a wide receiver in college, has good athleticism and figures to be give every opportunity to make the 53-man roster next season.

Bottom Line: Paulsen should be gone. Brown is an exclusive-rights free agent, meaning it’s a near-lock that he returns.

Defensive Linemen: Cornelius Washington, C.J. Wilson

Neither are impact players, but both can be reliable rotation pieces. Washington has some upside, but injuries have derailed any momentum he’s had. In limited 2016 action, Washington had 20 tackles and two sacks, and seemed to settle into his new position well. Meanwhile, Wilson came to Chicago mid-season and made minimal impact with just 13 tackles and zero sacks.

Linebackers: Sam Acho, Christian Jones

Acho is one of the league’s “good guys.” He’s a great ambassador for the sport, and represents the Bears well. With that being said, he disappears on a football field and, simply put, is taking up a roster spot that a younger player should have. As for Jones, he switched from an inside to an outside linebacker last season, but the change really didn’t pay off. He flashed in the preseason, but that’s about it.

Bottom Line: Jones is a restricted free agent, but nevertheless, both players should be gone.

Defensive Backs: Bryce Callahan, Demontre Hurst, Johnthan Banks, Chris Prosinski

Callahan has some upside and is an exclusive-rights free agent, so he will be back. Hurst, a restricted free agent, moved to free safety this past year, and he could be brought back. Banks was a second-round pick in 2013 by Tampa Bay, but he never panned out. The Bears signed him in December. His upside makes him an intriguing piece, but the Bears should not count on him being a significant player next season. Prosinski pushed Adrian Amos and Harold Jones-Quartey for playing time in 2016, and the coaches seem to like him. He did have a solid grade of 70.9 from Pro Football Focus.

Bottom Line: Callahan will be back, and Hurst figures to be as well. Banks could get some attention from other teams, and the Bears may not be inclined to raise their contract offer to him. As for Prosinski, he’s a solid depth piece who also contributes to special teams. Expect him to be back in the mix.

Next: Chicago Bears Offseason Needs on Defense

Special Teams: Patrick Scales, Connor Barth

Scales did a nice job as the team’s long snapper last season, and being an exclusive-rights free agent, he should return. Barth replaced the Bears all-time points leader in Robbie Gould last season and, after a shaky start, connected on 14 of his last 15 field goal attempts.

Bottom Line: Scales and Barth should each be back. However, competition figures to be brought in for both positions.

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