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3 free agents the Chicago Bears could still pursue

By Russell S. Baxter

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JANUARY 02: T.Y. Hilton #13 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates a touchdown in the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 02, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JANUARY 02: T.Y. Hilton #13 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates a touchdown in the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 02, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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Chicago Bears
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 09: Anthony Barr #55 of the Minnesota Vikings contests a pass to Damien Williams #8 of the Chicago Bears in the second quarter of the game at U.S. Bank Stadium on January 9, 2022 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) /

Chicago Bears option no. 1: OLB Anthony Barr (Minnesota Vikings)

In 2018, then-Bears’ general manager Ryan Pace orchestrated a deal that brought 2016 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Khalil Mack to the Windy City. The team gave up plenty to pry him away from the Raiders.

His presence elevated an already-talented defensive unit. Chicago allowed the fewest points in the NFL and forced the most turnovers in the league on the way to winning the NFC North that season.

This offseason, Mack – who missed the final 10 games of 2021 – was sent back to the NFC West as the Bears dealt him to the Los Angeles Chargers. He still finished with 19 tackles and six sacks in seven outings.

Anthony Barr was a first-round draft choice of the rival Vikings back in 2014. The four-time Pro Bowler has missed a combined 20 games the past two seasons – 14 of those in 2020. This past year, he finished with 72 tackles, 2.5 sacks, three interceptions five passes defensed.

Despite Mack’s sustained absence and via a big year from relentless Robert Quinn (18.5), the Bears finished with an impressive 49 sacks. The team added defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad (Colts) this offseason. But Matt Eberflus’ defense could use another veteran linebacker.

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