The Chicago Bears are heading into training camp in a couple of months, and there are a few names left in free agency that they should consider bringing aboard.
The NFL Draft is over, UDFA has gone through its first full swing, and the Chicago Bears are looking ahead to training camp.
Despite new optimism over several new faces and tweaks to the roster, this club is too far away from being a team that can compete with the top dogs of the NFC and the NFL as a whole. There will need to be some upgrades at several positions.
Both the offensive and defensive lines still need new blood. While Darnell Wright solves the right tackle position, questions are still out there about Braxton Jones. Moreover, the edge rusher position is still lacking on the defensive side and needs reinforcements.
How can you improve that? By going through the remaining free agents and seeing which of them can come in and provide some help or at least mentor the current players. There are a few that can do that. Let’s look and see.
Chicago Bears Target No. 1: DE Leonard Floyd
A homecoming? It’s doable. Though he is 30 years old, and the Bears made it abundantly clear that they want to be a young team, there is no shame in bringing in a player that may have a few whiskers but is explosive, fits the measurables, and produces.
Since being drafted by the Bears in 2016, Floyd has racked up 47.5 sacks in his career with Chicago and the LA Rams, the latter helping him win a Super Bowl. Floyd can play with his hands on the ground or standing up, depending on the situation.
A one or two-year deal should suffice. It would allow Chicago to have some leadership back in the room while they look to find a long-term replacement. Given how the pass rush was abysmal in 2022, any sort of help is welcome, even if it happens to be someone drafted from a past regime that is reviled in the Windy City.
Chicago Bears Target No. 2: DE Frank Clark
Another veteran? Again, the biggest weakness on Chicago’s roster is the EDGE rusher position. Having two elders anchor that spot for a year or two will not kill the culture; instead, it gives Chicago some flexibility and assurance until they get someone to do it for the long haul. At the same time, Clark, though he has had his issues off the field, has been productive.
58.5 sacks over eight years is still a good total. At the same time, Clark has largely stayed out of trouble recently and even won a Super Bowl with the Chiefs last season. There’s no such thing as having too many pass rushers. Though the Eagles lost the Super Bowl to KC, their pass rush did help them get to the big game, even though it was neutralized at the worst possible time.
Frank Clark can only help the Bears. Plus, the division is wide open. Why not take a small risk that won’t sink the franchise and help yourself improve for the present and future? Every little bit helps.
Chicago Bears Target No. 3: OL Dalton Risner
Despite the issues permeating in Denver, Dalton Risner was one of the players you saw had the potential to stick around. So, it was a mystery as to why Denver released him. Plus, he is only 27 years old, so Chicago won’t have to worry about him being too old for the team, and he can come in right away and help out.
Risner’s youth can help him be an insurance policy for Teven Jenkins in case Jenkins’ injury history catches up to him again. Furthermore, Cody Whitehair or Lucas Patrick is not the long-term option for the center position. Suppose Chicago can get Risner into their team ASAP. In that case, he has the physical traits and the mental capacity to become a starting center for a lower price than Whitehair currently makes.
Like Floyd and Clark, Risner is not a sign him or suffer option. He merely has the requisite tools to come in and make an impact right away. Chicago can choose to go whatever way they want, but Risner would be a low-risk, high-reward type of move. Those tend to work out quite well.