(670 The Score) New Bears general manager Ryan Poles has preached the need to have a careful approach when free agency opens next week. Then again, he doesn’t really have a choice.
“There’s a lot of spots we got to fill,” Poles said at the NFL Combine recently.
The Bears are looking to revamp their roster this offseason and begin building an identity under Poles and new coach Matt Eberflus. Pursuing and signing the right free agents will have a big effect on achieving those goals.
As of Thursday morning, the Bears had just more than $23 million in available cap space, according to Spotrac, but that figure should increase. The Bears are expected to make cap-clearing releases and restructure contracts to create more flexibility.
With that in mind, here are five free agents who would be quality fits for the Bears.
Brian Allen, center
Bears quarterback Justin Fields was hit far too often last season. He was sacked on a league-worst 11.8% of his dropbacks as a rookie in 2021 as the offensive line failed to protect him.
That has to change, and it starts with finding veteran help on the offensive line. That's why the 26-year-old Allen, a Hinsdale product, is an ideal match for Chicago.
If the Bears are to properly develop a pair of second-year offensive tackles in Teven Jenkins and Larry Borom as starters, they need experience at the other positions on the offensive line. Allen is coming off a Super Bowl championship season with the Rams, having started in 16 games.
Allen ranked 10th among all centers in 2021, according to Pro Football Focus’ grades. Sam Mustipher, who started all 17 games for the Bears last season, was 36th out of 39 eligible centers.
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Casey Hayward, cornerback
It shouldn’t be hard for the Bears to upgrade at cornerback, a position they neglected last season, but Poles needs to identify the right fit across from Jaylon Johnson. The Bears should start by calling the veteran Hayward, who ranked 12th among all cornerbacks in 2021, according to Pro Football Focus.
Signing Hayward would also represent support for Johnson, whom teams often avoided in 2021 to instead pick on Kindle Vildor.
There are a number of quality cornerback options on the open market, and it's a position Poles badly needs to solidify. After Hayward played at a high level last season, he'd be a strong fit.
DJ Chark, wide receiver
Chark makes a lot of sense to replace receiver Allen Robinson, who's set to hit free agency after spending the past four seasons in Chicago.
Chark is just 25 as he hits the open market for the first time, and he could be an ideal complement to Darnell Mooney. At 6-foot-4, Chark is a big target and should have his top-flight speed back after recovering from a fractured ankle in early October.
Chark has proved himself only in spurts with the Jaguars over the past four seasons, recording 147 receptions and 15 touchdowns in 43 games. But if he's healthy, he'd bring the Bears the dynamic deep threat that Fields covets and be a key piece in opening up the offense.
Foyesade Oluokun, linebacker
Seeing as Eberflus values speed on his defense, the 26-year-old Oluokun would be an excellent addition. He's one of the fastest linebackers in the game and should work well alongside Roquan Smith, no matter how Eberflus decides they fit into his 4-3 scheme.
A Yale product, Oluokun played in all 17 games for the Falcons last season and registered an NFL-high 192 combined tackles, 102 solo tackles and three interceptions. He’s exactly what Eberflus covets at linebacker in his defense.
Calais Campbell, defensive lineman
It has been clear the Bears need stronger leadership in their locker room. By adding the 35-year-old Campbell, they'd be filling that void while making a strong addition to their defensive line.
The 2019 Walter Payton Man of the Year, Campbell is returning for a 15th season in the NFL and has proved to be a fit in multiple schemes during his career. The 6-foot-8, 300-pound Campbell would be a commanding presence for the Bears in more ways than one.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.