Chicago Bears Complete Updated 2017 NFL Mock Offseason
By Erik Lambert
Unrestricted Free Agency:
A.J. Bouye (CB) = 5-year, $70 million ($36 million guaranteed)
The Texans aren’t going to franchise tag him, so Bouye will be a free agent. The Bears made a pass at him last offseason but came up short. This time they’ll have to pony up the money since other teams will want him too. Pace, for once, does just that in order to get his defense the cover guy it so desperately needs.
D.J. Swearinger (S) = 3-year, $18 million ($6.3 million guaranteed)
Pace has always had a talent for finding quality young players who are trending up in their careers and can be had for a decent price. Swearinger is coming off his best season with 66 tackles, two sacks and three interceptions. He’s only 25-years old too. Maybe not a star but a definite upgrade at safety.
https://twitter.com/YotesHereToStay/status/790391545916559360
Ian Williams (DT) = 2-year, $3 million ($700,000 guaranteed)
San Francisco hopes he could be their nose tackle of the future, but it didn’t work out. Likely because Vic Fangio left and the scheme changed. Williams still has plenty of value and would make the perfect insurance at nose tackle for Eddie Goldma, who is struggling to stay healthy.
Russell Okung (OT) = 3-year, $21 million ($7 million guaranteed)
Most experts agree the Bears are probably a good offensive tackle away from an elite offensive line. Okung didn’t work out after one year in Denver but there may be more to it than that. He had a high run blocking grade and only allowed four sacks. He’s 29-years old and a former Pro Bowler. Give him a shot at Charles Leno or Bobby Massie and he’ll beat out one of them.
Dennis Pitta (TE) = 1-year, $2 million
After flirting with retirement due to frequent hip injuries, Pitta returned to his solid form in Baltimore. He caught 86 passes for 729 yards. When healthy he’s a definite weapon in the passing game. At age 31 with his history he won’t command big money either. A decent short-term flier.
#Dime from @JoeFlacco. This is how you throw someone open. @dennispitta says thanks #BUFvsBAL #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/ctqgRJdn47
— Josh Cohen (@JCohen_NFL) September 12, 2016
Kendall Wright (WR) = 2-year, $5.6 million ($1 million guaranteed)
This isn’t a name most Bears fans will remember. His decline in Tennessee was fairly rapid after posting over 1,000 yards in 2013. What some may not know is Dowell Loggains was offensive coordinator for the Titans when that happened. Wright is 27-years old and might like the idea of reuniting with the man who got the most out of him.
Andre Ellington (RB) = 1-year, $1.3 million ($200,000 guaranteed)
It’s no secret the Bears hit pay dirt with Jordan Howard. He’ll be the feature back going forward. The question now is whether they can find a versatile back who can both ease his workload and also create some mismatches in certain situations. Ellington is a major receiving threat with speed and quickness. He’s been stuck on a deep depth chart in Arizona.