Chicago Bears in Free Agency: 5 Biggest Positional Needs

1. Tight End

Last season, none of the many tight ends for the Bears tallied over 100 receiving yards over the entire season. That is the first time that has ever happened since 1970 for the Bears. The Bears already have decent capital invested in Trey Burton, who in his first season caught 54 passes for 569 yards and six touchdowns. The Bears also invested a second-round pick in Adam Shaheen who has sat over half of the games the past two seasons. Basically, the Bears need a new tight end because none of their current ones can stay healthy.

Free Agent Targets:

• Austin Hooper
• Eric Ebron
• Delanie Walker
• Charles Clay
• Tyler Eifert

2. Offensive Guard

Anybody who watched the Chicago Bears offensive line play last season knows that their performance was atrocious. The Bears running game was nonexistent, and Mitchell Trubisky had almost no time to throw the ball. There were health concerns, but they definitely still need a starting right guard after the retirement of fan-favorite Kyle Long. It didn’t help either that converted defensive tackle to offensive tackle to offensive guard Rashaad Coward was starting as well. They need to replace that position immediately and add depth to the interior of the line as well.

Free Agent Targets:

• Graham Glasgow
• Quinton Spain
• Andrus Peat
• Michael Schofield
• B.J. Finney

3. Safety

It really doesn’t seem like the Bears need a safety when you see they have Eddie Jackson on their roster, but besides Jackson, who else do the Bears have? The Bears only have one other safety under contract in Kentrell Brice. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Deon Bush, and DeAndre Houston-Carson are all free agents. Specifically, the Bears need a strong safety. I expect the Bears to attempt to bring back Deon Bush who has impressed Chuck Pagano thus far, but they need to get a strong safety so that Jackson can play in his comfortable position of free safety.

Free Agent Targets:

• Vonn Bell
• Anthony Harris
• Damarious Randall
• Karl Joseph
• Tony Jefferson

4. Quarterback

It has already been stated that Mitch Trubisky is the guy this season, but that doesn’t mean quarterback is a major need for the team. Trubisky is the only quarterback on the roster under contract for the 2020 season with both Chase Daniel and Tyler Bray becoming free agents. The Bears should look to bring in a veteran presence to push Trubisky to earn the starting job and to help him out. The better the quarterback room is, the better it is for the inexperienced, shaky quarterback. This free agency class has to be one of the greatest of all times for quarterbacks. Look for the Bears to grab a guy to compete with Trubisky who can at least fill in if Trubisky goes down since he has yet to play a full season healthy.

Free Agent Targets:

• Marcus Mariota
• Case Keenum
• Blake Bortles
• A.J. McCarron
• Nate Sudfeld

5. Edge Rusher

It’s safe to say that outside of Khalil Mack, the Bears have absolutely nobody that can rush the passer from the outside. In the last 15 games, Leonard Floyd registered one sack. Floyd isn’t awful, but he is an awful pass rusher. He’s great in coverage and stopping the run, but the Bears need someone who can rush the passer too. The Bears only have James Vaughters and Devante Bond who have a combined three tackles for the Bears last season. The Bears need someone who can rush the passer alongside Mack to alleviate a lot of pressure off of him and the interior of the defensive line. Get another edge rusher, and this defense is elite once again.

Free Agent Targets:

• Dante Fowler
• Vic Beasley
• Jamie Collins
• Markus Golden
• Mario Addison

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