GM Ryan Poles has pretty much made his message clear. The Chicago Bears won't be taking big swings in free agency this year. His intent has always been to build through the draft. His refusal to hand out any big contracts through the first two days of action suggests he will stick to that approach. This means the smart way to evaluate the market is to search for potential bargains at positions of need. Those names are the ones to watch moving forward.
Bears fans may not like that, wishing the team would be more aggressive in getting better in Year 3 of a rebuild, but Poles has preached patience. That is how this will go. So let's take a look at some names that make sense for the team who shouldn't command huge price tags.
If the Chicago Bears stay in the bargain bin, watch these names.
QB Jimmy Garoppolo
Justin Fields hasn't been traded yet. Whenever that happens, it will leave a void at backup QB. While they may like Tyson Bagent, he doesn't have much experience. If they are drafting somebody at #1, adding a quarterback with experience would make sense. You won't find someone with much more than Garoppolo. He started games for three organizations and reached a Super Bowl with San Francisco. It doesn't hurt that he has ties to the region, having gone to high school in Rolling Meadows and college at Eastern Illinois. He could be a benefit to the Bears in several ways.
WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
One thing about the Chicago Bears under Poles and Eberflus is they like having wide receivers who do more than catch the ball. If you also do well as a blocker in the run game, there is a strong possibility they will find a place for you. Peoples-Jones is exactly that type of guy. He is physical in every aspect of his game. His 839 yards in 2022 showcased his ability to win one-on-one matchups. His time in Cleveland and Detroit also allowed him to shine in their dominant ground attacks. Few receivers on the market fit that mentality.
WR Parris Campbell
Another thing the Bears love is speed. If you're a receiver who can take the top off of a defense, the odds are they've kept tabs on you. Campbell has 4.31 speed. Not only that, but he also has ties to Eberflus. The two spent a few seasons together in Indianapolis. His last season there was his best, going for 623 yards and three touchdowns. Unfortunately, he made a poor decision to join the listless New York Giants in 2023, where he was relegated to a backup role. Chicago would be a good place for a fresh start under a coach who knows him. He'll also have an offensive coordinator in Shane Waldron, who likes getting creative with his players.
EDGE D.J. Wonnum
This is cheating somewhat since it's already been reported the Bears plan to meet with him. That doesn't make his entry on the list any less appropriate. Wonnum is 26 years old, has two seasons of eight sacks in the last three years, and boasts the physical profile this regime seeks for its defensive linemen. He's 6'5, 258 lbs, and rocks 34-inch arms. There is no question that new defensive coordinator Eric Washington would have an immediate idea of how to weaponize him if he joined the team. He isn't the second star many hope to pair with Montez Sweat, but he is absolutely a terrific third rusher.
DT Sheldon Rankins
Justin Jones left for Arizona in free agency. While the Chicago Bears likely plan to get Gervon Dexter and Zacch Pickens more involved this coming season, they could still use another body at defensive tackle to maintain their rotation. Rankins has been a reliable veteran for multiple teams over the past few years. He had a nice bounce-back season in Houston with six sacks last year. He's about to turn 30, so his price tag won't go too high. Signing him to a one-year deal feels like something the Bears would jump at, allowing them to avoid spending one of their few draft picks on one.
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