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Chicago Bears 2018 Off-Season: The Best, Worst and Most Puzzling

By Erik Lambert

BOCA RATON, FL - DECEMBER 20: Anthony Miller #3 of the Memphis Tigers catches a touchdown pass during the second half of the game against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at FAU Stadium on December 20, 2016 in Boca Raton, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
BOCA RATON, FL - DECEMBER 20: Anthony Miller #3 of the Memphis Tigers catches a touchdown pass during the second half of the game against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at FAU Stadium on December 20, 2016 in Boca Raton, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images) /
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FREE AGENCY

Best move:  Allen Robinson

Finding a #1 wide receiver in free agency is almost never possible. Yet the Bears somehow pulled it off. Yes, Allen Robinson comes with some red flags. He’s returning from a torn ACL and had somewhat down year in 2016. Still, no other player on the market could boast they had a 1,400-yard season with 14 touchdowns. That is what he’s capable of. Now he’s a Bear. Forget the cost. This was absolutely the deal the needed to make and got it done.

Worst move:  Ignoring Eric Reid

Look. The national anthem protest thing is a hot button topic. I get it. Yet what has Eric Reid done besides that to warrant not being signed? Teammates swear by his work ethic and locker room presence. Any distraction he might cause would be short and minimal. In return, the Bears would land a Pro Bowl-caliber defensive back with an intimate knowledge of the Fangio defense. How they continue to justify passing that up is baffling.

Puzzling move:  Marcus Cooper

It’s hard to understand what the coaches saw from last season that warranted handing Marcus Cooper a new contract. Special teams gaffe aside, he was a weak link in coverage most of last season. showing no signs of the progress he’d made in Arizona prior to his arrival. Even as a depth option it feels like Chicago could’ve done better. Perhaps they think he can turn things around. Either that or he’s just a camp body with experience.

Sleeper move:  Cody Parkey

The Bears are learning again just what life can be like without a reliable kicker. It’s been this way ever since Robbie Gould left town. The Connor Barth experience was definitely a low point. Now though it seems the team finally has somebody in place they can rely on. Cody Parkey is among the most accurate kickers in the league when he’s healthy. He was a Pro Bowler as a rookie and went 21-for-23 last season in Miami. Fans could end up loving this kid.

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