(670 The Score) Like seemingly all of his peers who lead NFL front offices, new Bears general manager Ryan Poles has explained he plans to build through the draft while approaching free agency with caution.
But the reality for the Bears is that some voids on the roster need to be addressed with veteran stability on the open market in March. Signing a few key players in free agency will be imperative as the Bears look to build around second-year quarterback Justin Fields and establish their defensive identity under new coach Matt Eberflus.
With that in mind, here are five critical roster needs for the Bears and how they could be addressed in free agency.
1) Offensive line
In his rookie season, Fields was sacked on a league-worst 11.8% of his dropbacks. He was sacked 36 times in 12 games, including nine by the Browns in his first career start in September.
Needless to say, Poles -- a former offensive lineman in college -- and the Bears have to bring stability to their offensive line this offseason. The Bears’ biggest need comes in the interior.
Right guard James Daniels is an unrestricted free agent and could haul in up to $50 million on the open market. Is that a price the Bears would be willing to pay? It doesn’t seem likely. Meanwhile, center Sam Mustipher struggled in 2021, ranking 36th among 39 qualifiers at his position, according to Pro Football Focus. The center who ranked 10th in that group, Hinsdale native Brian Allen (Rams), would be an ideal fit for the Bears in free agency. Ryan Jensen (Buccaneers) would make sense too.
Do the Bears have their tackle tandem for many years to come in Teven Jenkins and Larry Borom? That’s something Poles must also decide as he evaluates the roster. It could still make sense to enter the bidding for a free-agent tackle like Terron Armstead (Saints), Orlando Brown (Chiefs) or Cam Robinson (Jaguars), who could offer veteran stability in protecting Fields.
2) Wide receiver
One of the top receivers who's set to hit free agency is Allen Robinson, who's coming off a disappointing season with the Bears.
While a new Bears front office could provide a fresh start in negotiations that previously stalled between Robinson and the franchise, it seems best for the two sides to part ways. The 28-year-old Robinson can find the stability that has been elusive in his career – a proven offense and established quarterback – while Chicago can seek an explosive receiving complement to pair with Darnell Mooney.
The dynamic Michael Gallup (Cowboys) would be an ideal fit for the Bears’ offense. D.J. Chark (Jaguars) also seems like he would pair well with Mooney, as he has a 6-foot-4 frame with top-flight speed.
The Bears should also look to re-sign Jakeem Grant, who was a Pro Bowl returner last season and also flashed potential in the offense.
3) Cornerback
Simply put, former Bears general manager Ryan Pace neglected the cornerback position in 2021. The results were poor.
While Jaylon Johnson shined in his second NFL season, opposing offenses targeted whomever the Bears lined up at the opposite cornerback position. Kindle Vildor was benched after a dozen starts, Artie Burns was subpar when he stepped in and rookie Thomas Graham Jr. had highs and lows.
Cornerback shouldn't be too difficult of a void to address. The Bears just need to find a capable replacement for the overwhelmed starters of last season. Poles doesn’t need to break the bank for J.C. Jackson or Stephon Gilmore. Adding a cornerback like Darious Williams (Rams), Steven Nelson (Eagles) or D.J. Reed (Seahawks) would work just fine.
4) Defensive line
There's little stability for the Eberflus defensive front right now, and that’s OK. The work in establishing an identity will begin in free agency.
It seems unlikely that 32-year-old Akiem Hicks will be re-signed, as he acknowledged late last season. Eddie Goldman, the Bears’ 3-4 nose tackle since 2015, is a candidate to be released. Bilal Nichols is an unrestricted free agent.
The Bears believe edge rushers Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn will fit well in shifting to a 4-3 scheme. So what the Bears need to do is find the interior fits for their defensive line. Nichols deserves to be retained and given the chance to shift from the 5-technique to 3-technique in the new front. A veteran addition like Calais Campbell (Ravens) or Linval Joseph (Chargers) would also be beneficial as well.
5) Linebacker
If Eberflus views Roquan Smith like Colts star Darius Leonard, he'll slot him at the weak-side linebacker position. That means the Bears need to find a fit at the middle linebacker position.
Foyesade Oluokun (Falcons) has the speed that Eberflus seeks for his defense, while Leighton Vander Esch (Cowboys) could complement Smith well. A veteran addition like Anthony Barr (Vikings) or Dont'a Hightower (Patriots) would work too.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.