Chicago Bears Mock Free Agency: Ryan Pace raids the bargain bin

A Chicago Bears mock free agency might at least be a good way to get away from the rampant string of mock drafts that are around this time of year.

So how does one goes about something like this? It’s fairly straightforward. The mock comes into two parts. Part one is a simplified list of their own in-house free agents that are likely (or should be) re-signed by the team. Part two is a list of possible signings they could make on the open market and an explanation for why the player, the fit, and the money make sense.

Part one is just below. It will include a decision between the Bryce Callahan and Adrian Amos question. Keep in mind the decision was made from a financial perspective as must be maintained for a piece like this.

In-house free agents I expect will be retained:

Bryce Callahan (CB) – 3-year, $15 million ($5 million guaranteed)
Bryan Witzmann (OG) – 1-year, $1 million
Roy Robertson-Harris (DE) – Exclusive Rights Free Agent ($645,000)
Rashaad Coward (OT) – Exclusive Rights Free Agent ($645,000)
Ben Braunecker (TE) – 1-year, $720,000
Zach Miller (TE) – 1-year, $805,000
DeAndre Houston-Carson (S) – 1-year, $720,000
Patrick Scales (LS) – 1-year, $720,000

Biggest needs following this period – S, K, EDGE, TE, WR

Chicago Bears Free agent additions for the unrestricted period:

Ty Montgomery (RB) – 1-year, $805,000

The former Packers running back fell out of favor with his original team, likely because he didn’t get to play enough despite producing every time he got a chance. He was then traded to Baltimore where he barely played at all. Even so, he averaged 5.5 yards on 15 carries while there and caught 10 passes in six games. There is a versatility to his game that the Bears would covet. He’s clearly a superior option to somebody like Taquan Mizzell.

Chris Conley (WR) – 1-year, $2 million

Matt Nagy had great success when he brought Witzmann in at guard from Kansas City last year. There’s no reason to think he won’t know what to do with Conley whom he also coached while offensive coordinator there. While the receiver has never really had a breakout season, he is a solid depth option who brings size (6’3) and a polished red zone presence. Five of his 32 catches last year went for touchdowns.

Terrell Suggs (EDGE) – 1-year, $5 million

This is not the superstar pass rusher from five years ago that dominated for Baltimore. He turns 37-years old this coming season. Suggs is squarely in the twilight of his Hall of Fame career. That said, he continues to demonstrate talent and savvy for finding ways to the quarterback. He had seven sacks in 2018 which is more than double what the Bears got out of Aaron Lynch. He’d be playing for a coach he knows and loves in Chuck Pagano and likely be kept fresher on reduced snaps.

Rashaan Melvin (CB) – 1-year, $1 million

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Another former pupil that played his best football under Pagano. Melvin had a career-high three interceptions in 2017 for the Colts. He turned that into a nice one-year payday from Oakland. Unfortunately, things didn’t seem to work out and he’s not expected to return. His advancing age and regressed stock actually help out the Bears as they could get him for cheaper and he’d make for a solid #4 option at cornerback behind Fuller, Amukamara, and Callahan.

Kenny Vaccaro (S) – 2-year, $3 million

Losing a dependable player like Adrian Amos is never easy, but he’s also the sort that can be replaced. His skill set is not uncommon. A rugged and tough safety who tackles well, can hit and brings value as a blitzer but has limits in coverage. That’s basically the identical scouting report for Kenny Vaccaro who signed for a $1.1 million deal last year in Tennessee. He’s 28-years old and has connections to Pace who was in New Orleans when they drafted him 15th overall in 2013.

Salary cap following every move: $3.81 million

For those concerned about the draft, don’t be. This is actually where not having 1st and 2nd rounders could be called a slight advantage. Not having to pay those types of rookie contracts means the Bears can play it a bit closer to the vest than normal. Given the placement of all their current picks, it will require something around $2.792 million to sign them all. It’s likely to be lower than that too because of the compensatory pick process that will drop their 4th to 7th rounders a number of spots.

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