Chicago Bears: 5 Available Free Agents Who Can Help

NEW ORLEANS, LA – SEPTEMBER 20: Vincent Jackson /

If the Chicago Bears are smart, they should never stop churning the roster. There is always a way to get better in the NFL. Even if it’s a little bit.

One must not forget this team finished 2016 with a 3-13 record. At first glance they didn’t get a lot better overall, at least in the short-term. That of course can change if their quarterback investments work out. At the same time GM Ryan Pace still has a job to do with the rest of the roster. Even though it’s July, there are players out there worth going after. Here are five names the Bears should be focused on.

Zach Orr (ILB)

The field of teams aiming to sign the 24-year old Pro Bowler is large, even with lingering concerns about his neck. Still Zach Orr was an outstanding inside linebacker in 2016 for the Baltimore Ravens. They too run a 3-4 defense. Don’t be fooled. The Bears aren’t set at the position. Danny Trevathan has a serious knee injury he hasn’t fully recovered from. Jerrell Freeman is 31-years old and Nick Kwiatkoski is an unproven commodity as a starter. Orr would give them far more stability.

Orlando Franklin (OL)

Anybody who is comfortable with the Bears depth at offensive tackle is fooling themselves. At present they have Bradley Sowell, Williams Poehls, Tom Compton and rookie Dieugot Joseph. There isn’t a lot of proven skill in that group. Sowell and Compton are experienced, but little more than that. Orlando Franklin has starting experience at both tackle and guard. He’d be an extremely versatile and valuable swing lineman who can plug any hole that might open up from injury.

Vincent Jackson (WR)

Let’s get this out of the way. Yes, Vincent Jackson is 34-years old. Yes he missed a combined 17 games over the past two years with injuries. The three-time Pro Bowler appears to be done but is anxious to prove he can still play. At 6’5″ there is reason to think he has something to offer. The last time Jackson had a healthy season (2014) he went over 1,000 yards. With the continued uncertainty of Kevin White, Victor Cruz and others, more competition can’t hurt.

Corey Graham (S)

Don’t be mistaken. This would not be a signing meant to add someone who can start at safety. No the Bears would bring Corey Graham home to fill the role that first got him noticed in the NFL: as a core special teamer. Graham is 32. His defensive days may be done but there should be enough gas left for him to provide depth at safety while becoming a primary third phase contributor. It would be rather fitting if he were to finish out his career where and how it started.

Sam Shields (CB)

Signings this late in free agency often come with some risks, either on character or health issues. With Sam Shields it’s about a history of concussions he’s been dealing with since his time in Green Bay. To date he’s known to have suffered four in his career. That’s a lot and everybody knows the wariness around concussions these days. At the same time Shields insists he’s healthy. If so, the 29-year old former Pro Bowler would be a tantalizing extra boost to the secondary.

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