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Chicago Bears: Final 2017 NFL Free Agency Grades

By Erik Lambert

Aug 31, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Mike Glennon (8) works out prior to the game against the Washington Redskins during the Tropical Storm Hermine at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 31, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Mike Glennon (8) works out prior to the game against the Washington Redskins during the Tropical Storm Hermine at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 3, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace before the game against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace before the game against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports /

The Chicago Bears NFL free agency run appears largely complete. Or the big moves are anyway. Now focus shifts towards the draft this April.

That being said it’s time to make a final assessment for the free agency maneuvers they’ve gone through over the past couple weeks. Ultimately the season itself will determine how many of them were quality additions and how many were wasted money. Still, it’s important to institute a grading system based around initial impressions. This opens the door for speculation and the chance to be surprised, in both the good and bad ways.

RE-SIGNINGS

OG Eric Kush:  A

This was a savvy keeper for Pace and the Bears. Kush was a quiet standout performer in 2016, ably filling in as a reserve at guard for the injured Josh Sitton and Kyle Long. He’s still young, experienced and back on a highly affordable multi-year deal. Well done on that one.

K Connor Barth:  C

This largely feels like a comfort signing. One of familiarity. Barth is a veteran with lots of experience and he played decent enough down the stretch of last season. Even so, that doesn’t make up for the fact he’s an average kicker with very little benefit from a distance.

CB Johnthan Banks:  B

Picked up off waivers late last season, Banks never really got a chance to show what he could do. It felt like a good pickup though given his athletic prowess and good fit in the Bears’ scheme. Bringing him back on a cheap deal gives them a proper chance to test the theory if they were right.

ILB Christian Jones:  B+

He’s still a young linebacker with experience playing both inside and outside in this Bears scheme. To top it off he’s an emerging presence on special teams. These are the types of players worth keeping. He gets a decent payday and the teams gets some solid depth in two phases.

S Chris Prosinki:  C-

This move just screams “coaches’ favorite.” Prosinski is a veteran who has a nice background on special teams but he doesn’t even cut it as an average safety. He’ll also be 30-years old in April. Competition is always welcome, but this feels like a move made out of preference than pursuit of improvement.

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