ESPN insider names 3 intriguing free agents to sign with the Bears this offseason

ESPN insider names 3 intriguing free agents to sign with the Bears this offseason originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago

A lot of this NFL offseason’s attention has been surrounded by what the Bears will do in the 2024 NFL draft. Will they draft a quarterback with the No. 1 pick? Will they trade down? What about the No. 9 pick?

Well, let’s drift off that topic onto another — what will the Bears do in free agency?

Recently, the front office cut ties with longtime veterans Cody Whitehair and Eddie Jackson, freeing up $21.7 million in cap space and catapulting the team’s cap number into the top three in the NFL. Who should they chase with all of that money?

Here are three options ESPN staff writer Matt Bowen claims are the “best fits” for the Bears.

Let’s start with a familiar face.

Johnson, 24, just finished the final season of his rookie deal, making him eligible for free agency. He will likely command top cornerback money that either places him in the mix of the highest-paid corners or tries and reset the market with a record-breaking number.

Some suspect the Bears will use their franchise tag on Johnson, paying him the average salary of the top five cornerbacks in the league and keeping him on a one-year deal with the team. Bowen thinks the Bears will ink their homegrown corner long-term.

“I like Johnson staying in Chicago as the Bears’ No. 1 corner, with the coverage traits, backfield vision and ball skills to produce once again,” Bowen wrote. “He posted a career-high four interceptions last season for a Bears defense that finished with 22 picks, tied for most in the NFL. I see Johnson signing a multi-year contract as a pivotal player in coach Matt Eberflus’ scheme.”

It’s true, Johnson inarguably finished his best season this past year. He was elected to his first Pro Bowl and earned second All-Pro honors. He finished the season with his best allowed completion percentage too, allowing just over 55% of his targets to catch the ball.

There’s no question the Bears…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/espn-insider-names-3-intriguing-195050494.html

Author : NBC Sports Chicago

Publish date : 2024-02-20 19:50:50

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