Chicago Bears impending free agents and top team needs
By Erik Lambert
The Chicago Bears have loads of questions to answer with NFL free agency on the near horizon. Many of them involving their own roster.
This article will cover two keys for the organization. First is which of their players have expiring contracts and the possibility of being re-signed. Then it’s a matter of figuring out the teams’ biggest roster needs with the market set to open in just over a month.
Alshon Jeffery, WR
Far and away the biggest name on the list that the Bears will have to address. Alshon Jeffery has missed a combined 11 games over the past two seasons. Seven for injury and another four due to a PED suspension. Yet in that time he still managed to put up over 1,600 receiving yards with three different quarterbacks. At 6’3″ he’s shown to be one of the best 50/50 receiver in the league. Throw the ball up and odds are he’ll be the one to catch it.
Yet the Bears have remained quiet on whether or not they want to extend him. He hasn’t exactly made it clear he deserves top receiver money. He hasn’t been reliable or productive enough. Yet the fact remains they have few options on the roster if he leaves.
Brian Hoyer, QB
The 30-year old quarterback was brought in for the specific reason of being a stable backup behind Jay Cutler. This job at least he fulfilled admirably. Brian Hoyer kept the Bears in a number of games during the season and even claimed one of their three victories. However, a broken arm ended his year early. He finished with 1,445 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions. Whether that’s enough to get brought back is something to monitor.
Cornelius Washington, DE
Vic Fangio hasn’t concealed his excitement about the possibilities with Cornelius Washington the past two years. The former 6th round pick has loads of athletic potential the team has tried to tap. Unfortunately injuries keep getting in the way. Thankfully 2016 was his first year where he played most of the games, finishing with 20 tackles and two sacks. Maybe a third season under Fangio will be the charm. It does look like he might be figuring things out.