Chicago Bears: 3 Players to re-sign in 2019 offseason

Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images /
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Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images
Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images /

3. Bryce Callahan, Cornerback

The Bears have a great duo on the outsides with Kyle Fuller and Prince Amukamara, but they need to make sure they have someone in the slot to slow down opposing slot receivers. In Callahan, they have that answer to those opponents.

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Callahan finished last season as the seventh overall corner by Pro Football Focus (subscription required) metrics, which was tied with his teammate Fuller. He’s a little smaller at only 5-9, but most slot receivers don’t have the size to bully him inside.

Callahan isn’t the team’s best corner or best player, but he plays such an important role that the team can’t afford to let him walk. When he’s on the field, it forces opposing teams to find different ways to beat them because there isn’t a weak corner for them to attack through the air. This also improves their pass-rush by giving them more time to get home to the quarterback.

This isn’t the strongest free agent class at corner, but there are enough big names that should take up the open money that the Bears could be able to get Callahan back on a cheaper deal. He may also be willing to give the team that gave him his shot in the NFL after he went undrafted back in 2015 a hometown discount.

For more grades, advanced statistics and more at Pro Football Focus, subscribe to PFF’s EDGE or ELITE subscriptions at ProFootballFocus.com.