Chicago Bears Free Agency: Is Eric Fisher a good fit?

As free agency hits later this week, we’re getting a clearer look at what the Chicago Bears need at the offensive line. Would signing left tackle Eric Fisher help the unit?

Well, free agency is almost here. Actually, we are in the legal tampering part in which teams like the Chicago Bears can negotiate with free agents without any trouble. Then, on Thursday, March 16th, at 4 PM Eastern, the frenzy begins. Teams officially sign the players they feel can help them win games.

The Bears have a ton of holes to fill this offseason. They have about 60 percent of the roster that hits free agency. General manager Ryan Poles has to make big decisions on his own players in addition to bringing in others.

Poles made an emphasis on strengthening the offensive line. He was an offensive lineman in his playing days so he knows how important it is to not only keep the quarterback clean but also open up holes for the running game.

As the new NFL years inches closer, we’re getting a better idea of what the needs on the line are. Despite bringing back center Sam Mustipher, I don’t see him being a starter. He struggled way too much last season to be considered starter material. Poles likely looks for a veteran center to take over.

At guard, Poles apparently will let James Daniels hit the market. It doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll be gone, but free agency can be crazy. All it takes is one desperate team to overpay and your plans are done. Instead of coming up with a deal, Poles risks losing him.

Of course, it could be that Poles has other plans. He could decide to move the two second-year players around. Teven Jenkins was a right tackle in college so perhaps Poles moves him back to his natural position. He can also move Larry Borom to right guard where Daniels manned.

Should Poles go that route, then he’ll need a good veteran leader to take over left tackle. That is a crucial position since he’ll be tasked with keeping quarterback Justin Fields‘ blind side clean.

There are a few good tackles on the market but they’ll cost a pretty penny. Teams understand the importance of a left tackle and they’ll go to great lengths to either keep their good ones or pay a handsome amount of money to find one.

One interesting player is Eric Fisher. Fisher was the number one overall pick by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013. He became one of the top left tackles in the NFL. Then he tore his Achilles tendon in the AFC Championship in 2020. He signed with the Indianapolis Colts in 2021 but wasn’t the same dominant force.

Now Fisher hits free agency.

Some might be concerned with his 2021 season and him not being the force he was. Well, that could be explained by him still trying to get back to form. We see players who have injuries like this who aren’t as great in their first season back. On their next, season, however, they look like their old selves.

We saw that with Allen Robinson and his ACL injury. He wasn’t the same great wide receiver he was the year after his injury (his first with the Chicago Bears). He came back, though, and had back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons.

Some teams might shy away from Fisher, making his value smaller. If he checks out physically, however, he could be a big pickup.

Fisher checks in at 6-foot-7 and weighs 315 pounds. This was a point of emphasis for Poles. He wanted the line to be leaner and more athletic. Fisher fits that mold. He can chip at the line and hit the second level quickly and create space for the ball carrier.

Fisher can also be the veteran leader that the line needs. The unit has been a hodgepodge of players without direction. No one has stepped up to take the leadership mantel. Fisher can do that. Owning a Super Bowl ring and being one of the top linemen in the league gives him the mettle to be the leader and get the unit to jell.

Another thing to keep in mind is Fisher’s connection to the two top guys in Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus. Poles was there when the Chiefs drafted him and he saw the player’s development. He has a good idea of what to expect from him. All he needs to clear is the medicals.

Also, Fisher spent the 2021 season with the Indianapolis Colts. Eberflus was their defensive coordinator. Although he didn’t coach him, he got to see what type of player Fisher is.

If Fisher is over his injury, he’d be a great fit with what the Chicago Bears want to do offensively.