2023 Free Agents The Chicago Bears Should Throw All The Money At

The Chicago Bears didn't have many resources to work with this off-season. That made it difficult for GM Ryan Poles to take any serious swings at finding help for the roster. Then again, he made it clear he wished to avoid throwing significant resources at veteran players because it didn't provide long-term solutions. He wants to build through the draft. That is a good thing. At the same time, it doesn't erase the fact that his team is projected to have the most cap space in the NFL next off-season. They will have a green light to spend lots of money if they wish. Whether Poles follows through on such a plan remains to be seen. Much of this will depend on what Justin Fields does this season. If he takes a big step forward as a quarterback, the Bears will realize their championship window is open sooner than expected. That will convince the regime to pour resources into making the roster competitive faster. Here are some projected free agents that make perfect sense for them.

Chicago Bears will have some excellent options available.

WR D.K. Metcalf

This shouldn't be a shock. The Bears don't have weapons, at least regarding opinions in the national media. Darnell Mooney is fine. Everybody else on the roster is just a guy. They need more star power. Metcalf was one of the most feared deep threats in the NFL over the past three years. Not only is he blazing fast, but he's also 6'4 with outstanding strength. He and Russell Wilson were a perfect fit together. Justin Fields has drawn many comparisons to Wilson because of his terrific deep accuracy. It seems like such an obvious match. With no quarterback prospects in Seattle, there is a strong possibility he actually reaches the market too.

TE Dawson Knox

Much of this depends on what Cole Kmet does in 2022. He showed signs of progress last year with over 600 yards receiving. The problem is he was a non-factor in the end zone. Zero touchdowns. On the other hand, Knox scored nine times despite only 71 total targets in Buffalo. He has quietly matured into one of the better tight ends in the league. He is also a highly underrated blocker. Buffalo has a habit of retaining their own players, so him reaching the market is uncertain. If he does, he is a Bears guy for sure.

OL Elgton Jenkins

The Packers always love stealing good players from the Chicago Bears. Turnabout should be fair play. When healthy, Jenkins is one of the best offensive linemen in the NFL regardless of position. He has the versatility to play inside or outside and allowed only three sacks in his last 1,000 pass-blocking snaps. Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy knows him well, and he'd be a terrific addition to Fields' protection at guard or tackle. Green Bay is another team that retains their own players, but they're facing another salary cap crunch next off-season. So keeping him at a top-of-the-market price won't be easy.

DT Da'Ron Payne

The defensive line will be the foundation of whatever success the new Bears defense has. They need it to generate pressure on the quarterback by itself to function at a high level. It is especially true for the interior. Justin Jones has a chance to establish himself as a proper three-technique pass rusher. It can't be only him, though. They need more. Da'Ron Payne can play the nose tackle position as a traditional run defender, but he proved last season that he is improving as a pass rush presence. Such versatility is valuable to any defense.

EDGE Anthony Nelson

Keeping with that same mode of operation, the Bears will have to consider adding to defensive end soon. The odds are that Robert Quinn will likely be gone before this season's end via trade. That leaves their edge rusher situation in uncertain waters. Trevis Gipson looks like he may have long-term promise. Coaches are also high on rookie Dominique Robinson. Maybe he turns into something worth watching. Depending on what happens, Nelson is the kind of target Poles would love. Young (25) and ascending. He had five sacks last season despite only 234 pass rush opportunities. There is more worth exploring there.