There are winners, and there are losers in NFL free agency. The Chicago Bears are winners. Still, there are a few moves they must make to compete.
At the start of the 2023 NFL offseason, there were questions about whether or not the Chicago Bears wanted to move forward with Justin Fields. After trading out of the first overall slot with the Carolina Panthers, General Manager Ryan Poles put the questions to rest. Justin Fields will have a chance to prove he’s the franchise quarterback. In the trade with the Panthers, DJ Moore became the No. 1 wideout for the Bears on an offense with Chase Claypool and Darnell Mooney. Cole Kmet is holding down the tight end spot, a solid option for the young quarterback.
Ryan Poles and the Chicago Bears getting after it early in 2023 NFL Free Agency
Poles took the free agency and tossed the money bag at a few players. On the defensive side of the ball, they signed Tremaine Edmunds to a four-year, $72 million deal. The 6’5, 250-pound 24-year-old two-time Pro Bowler was one of the youngest unrestricted free agents. The former Bills linebacker is an ideal fit for Matt Eberflus’ defense. Edmunds will play a similar role as Colt linebacker Darius Leonard did when Eberflus coached the position. Meanwhile, T.J. Edwards will play the Anthony Walker role as a downhill take-on backer on the weak side. They signed him to three years, $19.5 million, $7.9 million guaranteed to keep Edmunds clean.
Nate Davis was another free agent signing to protect Justin Fields. Poles signed the former Titans guard for three years, $30 million, $17.5 guaranteed, and should open up running lanes for whoever plays running back. All the pieces seem to fit on paper, but Poles and the Falcons aren’t done yet.
Aaron Rodgers won’t be the Packers’ quarterback, giving them an easier path to the playoffs. It won’t happen with a few signing on Day 1 of free agency. They will need to do more work.
1. Build a wall around Justin Fields
In order to get a true evaluation of who Fields is as a quarterback, the Chicago Bears should do everything they can to protect him. Building a defense is a start. Adding a weapon like DJ Moore was a massive step forward. Signing Nate Davis will help out the running game and interior protection, but they must address the offensive tackle spot. Braxton Jones isn’t the answer at left tackle, but there are a few guys that are better options. Orlando Brown is a name that comes to mind. Given Chicago’s cap space, they could offer him the best contract. He’s capable of playing both tackle spots, though he wants to be a left tackle.
Taylor Lewan is another solid option given he played in an offense that will probably mimic what Offensive Coordinator Luke Getsy likes to run. Lewan would come in as an immediate upgrade at the left tackle spot, despite his flaws. The problem with Lewan is the injury history that saw him play in just 20 combined games since 2020. Still, he could come as a starter, simultaneously adding depth. Of course, there’s always the 2023 NFL Draft.
Paris Johnson is the name often mocked to the Bears — for good reason. The Ohio State Buckeyes lineman is the type of athlete teams covet in a left tackle. On Day 2, a player like Darnell Wright from Tenessee is another great athlete with excellent girth who protected a running quarterback in Hendon Hooker — he didn’t allow a sack.
Double down on edge rushers, via free agency and the draft
Whether Aaron Rodgers returns to the Packers shouldn’t stop the Chicago Bears from doubling down on an edge rusher. Safety Jaquan Brisker is the team leader in sacks with five on the season. When your safety is the team leader in sacks, you have an edge rusher problem. Demarcus Walker was a smart signing, as he could generate pressure up the middle in an even front. He’s a five-technique in an odd front. However, the smartest thing to do is to double down on edge rush talent. They need to sign a free-agent edge rusher and draft one.
Targetting someone like Yannick Ngakoue from the Colts would be a smart move. He’s played in a system similar to Matt Eberflus, so he’s an ideal fit for the Bears. Other options are the same names floating around free agency like Jadeveon Clowney, Frank Clark, and possibly Bud Dupree.
Unfortunately for the Bears, the Atlanta Falcons are picking ahead of them at No. 8. They’ll probably miss out on at least one of the top edge rushers. Still, they should have a shot at the edge rushers Myles Murphy, Tyree Wilson, or Lukas Van Ness.
Add a running back via free agency or the draft
Khalil Herbert is an explosive back who will need a running mate now that David Montgomery signed with the Detroit Lions. Justin Fields is a young quarterback who will need a dependable running game to help take the next step. Mile Sanders hasn’t signed back with the Eagles. He knows what it’s like to play with a quarterback of Fields’ skill set after spending the last few seasons with Jalen Hurts. Sanders played in an offense that used both gap and zone-blocking schemes. He’ll come to the Bears being the ideal fit for Luke Getsy’s wide zone rushing attack.
He’s unlikely to re-sign with the Eagles given the addition of Rashaad Penny — Poles must make it happen. Sanders and Herbert would make for a dynamic duo.
Perhaps the Bears decide to wait until the draft. Head coach Matt Eberflus knows how important a dynamic running back is. Bijan Robinson could be a target with the No. 9 overall pick. It’s rich for the position, but Robinson is the dynamic style of runner that could change the scope of the offense.
The Bears could opt to wait until the second round to take a running back. Jahmyr Gibbs is a dynamic runner out of Alabama with a skill set that mirrors Alvin Kamara and Austin Ekeler. He could be available to them at the top of the second round with the No. 54 pick.