Chicago Bears 2017 Mock Free Agency: The Three-Tier Approach
By Erik Lambert
The Chicago Bears won’t be relying on free agency to dig them out of their 3-13 hole from last season, but it will be a key ledge they’ll need during the climb.
One thing to remember about how this team has operate over the past couple years in terms of the open market is their measured approach. They don’t spend their money wildly. Like a coiled viper they pick and choose their moments to strike, always aiming for spots other teams might not be paying attention. Also they tend to like spreading their money out.
A portion of it will be reserved for a notable name that will become their primary acquisition. The rest will be dolled out to several “ascending” talents and cheap gambles with upside. Always the idea being that the coaches can put all the pieces in the right place. With this idea in mind, how could things play out for them next month?
Top of the Line
A.J. Bouye (CB, Houston)
Make no mistake. The Bears know they’re going to have to spend a healthy chunk of their cap space on at least one big name free agent. From the beginning Ryan Pace stated a top priority was the improvement of the secondary on defense. Both the cornerback and safety positions weren’t up to the required standards of head coach John Fox and himself. They just don’t have anybody on the roster capable of going toe-to-toe with a top receiver by himself and holding his own.
It’s making more sense every day why they tried to make a push for A.J. Bouye a year ago before he chose to stay in Houston. This time the young cornerback is coming off a career year and will be commanding a big contract. He’s tall and athletic, sticky in coverage and not prone to getting beat very often. His emergence was a key factor to the Texans’ defensive dominance down the stretch. The Bears have nothing even close to his caliber at present.