Jerrell Freeman To Sign With Chicago Bears

Perhaps one of the more overlooked defensive players in the NFL, Jerrell Freeman was bound to become one of the most sought after bargain buys of the second wave of free agency.  One team was able to pull off that little caper as the inside linebacker came to terms with the

Here is who Freeman is, what he’s done and what he’ll do for that defense.

"“Freeman has exploded onto the scene over the last three years.  After going undrafted in 2008 he signed with the Titans, but was cut before the season began.  He caught on in the CFL with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and player there from 2009 to 2011.  In the 2011 season a light seemed to go on for Freeman when he lead the CFL in tackles with 105.  The following year he signed with the Colts and has been a tackling machine, racking up 366 in 44 games over the last three years.  He will turn 30 in My, but I’d still expect him to get a rich contract on a short term deal.”"

Playing next to Danny Trevathan will give the Bears two of the most athletic and proven coverage linebackers in football.  The only issue moving forward will be size.  Freeman is just 6’0″ tall, so he might struggle in the run game if he has to take on bigger offensive linemen.

GRADE:  B+

Freeman isn’t a star, but he’s playing his best football right now and should have two or three good years left.  To get him at just $4 million per season, given how much the Bears have to spend, it’s yet another bargain purchase that quietly upgrades the defense in significant ways.  Nice work by young GM Ryan Pace.