Chicago Bears: 5 cheap free agents who could thrive with them

The Chicago Bears would love to make a nice splash of some kind in free agency, but sometimes the money just isn’t’ where it needs to be.

Technically GM Ryan Pace could create enough room to do so, but odds are he’d prefer to avoid creating problems for his team in the future. So it could be a year where the Bears go hunting for cheaper options. Players that don’t look like big signings but could end up providing quality snaps due to their solid fits in the system. Think less Allen Robinson or Akiem Hicks and more Tracey Porter and Bryan Witzmann.

Here are five names that won’t get first dibs among teams this March but could end up being nice additions to what the Bears are trying to do.

Ty Montgomery (RB, Baltimore Ravens)

Remember him? Most Bears fans should. Montgomery was a major thorn in their side for a number of years when he played for the Green Bay Packers. How much of one? In his career, Montgomery rushed for 311 yards against them. The next closest team was the Seahawks with 95. He had a falling out with his former team last year, being traded to Baltimore. It’s puzzling to this day why the Packers didn’t try to use him more.

Montgomery has averaged 4.9 yards per carry for his career and also has 107 receptions in just 42 games. He’s a versatile threat. One that could clearly be seen as superior to what the Bears have tried to make out of Taquan Mizzell this past season.

Jermaine Kearse (WR, New York Jets)

The Seattle Seahawks traded him to New York for Sheldon Richardson and he promptly had a career year with 810 yards in 2017. However, he regressed a lot last season, not having the same chemistry with rookie Sam Darnold. Kearse could best be called a physical and tough receiver who likes to block and is at his best gashing defenses down the field for big plays. He has an uncanny knack for highlight reel catches. All the traits he exhibits are things the Bears need.

Shane Ray (EDGE, Denver Broncos)

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The funny part is before the Khalil Mack trade, everybody was begging the Bears to trade for Shane Ray. Now it appears the former 1st round pick will simply be trying to net a prove-it contract so he can find a bigger payday in the near future. Part of his issue has been health, missing 13 games the past two years. However, the Broncos also haven’t used him as aggressively as Wade Phillips did. That will change under Pagano.

He’s only 25. There is still time for him to rediscover the form that led to eight sacks in 2016. What better way to get the necessary credibility than by playing for the Bears on the best defense in football?

Ronald Darby (CB, Philadelphia Eagles)

Early in his career, Ronald Darby looked like a potential star in the making. Then he fell into a bit of a slump before being traded to Philadelphia. There he nabbed three interceptions in just eight games before succumbing to injury. Last year it was more of the same. So Darby has showcased moments of brilliance as a corner but hasn’t been able to do it consistently. Pagano is a renowned defensive back specialist who has done more with less.

Signing the 25-year old to a short-term deal could give them talented depth with a chance for more if he’s able to get past his injury issues.

Kenny Vaccaro (S, Tennessee Titans)

Pagano is a fan of wreaking havoc on defense. This often means lots of creative blitzing in order to make the quarterback uncomfortable. That sort of style demands defensive backs who can play aggressive and downhill. Kenny Vaccaro has the sort of versatility that made him a dangerous safety that could live around the line of scrimmage. His 9.5 career sacks prove that much. If the Bears end up losing Adrian Amos to free agency, he could end up being a solid replacement.

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