Free agency is off and running with the new league year beginning on March 17th. That hasn't stopped the
Chicago Bears from getting some business done already. As the first major deadline passed, they managed a mix of retaining some of their own key free agents along with one (very) notable outside addition to this point. All caused their own reaction from fans.
So what about an objective view? How did the Bears handle their business? Not just in terms of the players acquired or retained but the money involved to do so. That is what this will cover. A quick series of reaction grades to every move made thus far. Did they actually come out looking good or mess things up royally?
GM Ryan Pace can be somewhat unpredictable this time of year. Thus far he hasn't been as aggressive as usual. No doubt due in large part to his lack of funds. Here is how he's managed thus far.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYjvOW1pV9M&ab_channel=ChicagoBears
Chicago Bears free agency grades thus far aren't terrible
Allen Robinson - 1-year franchise tag for $17.98 million
This wasn't a hard decision but that doesn't make it any less the correct one. Chicago couldn't afford to lose Robinson. He's their best offensive weapon, disgruntled or not. He will likely hold out until such a time as the Bears make an offer
close to what he wants. That hasn't happened. The tag has bought them time. Now they have until July 15th to continue working on some sort of extension. If it doesn't happen, he'll be locked in for this year and be a free agent again in 2022. Not the ideal outcome but one that had to happen.
Grade: B
Cairo Santos - 3-year deal for $9 million
The Chicago Bears have their kicker. Santos was brilliant last season, going 30-for-32 on his field goal attempts. That accuracy rate was the best in franchise history for a single season. Keeping him long-term became an immediate priority for Chicago. Santos could've held off. He likely would've had a solid market in free agency. Instead the Bears managed to secure him for $3 million per year. That makes him the 16th-highest-paid kicker in the NFL. A pretty fair deal for a guy coming off the best season of his career. Big win for both sides.
Grade: A
Mario Edwards Jr. - 3-year deal for $11.66 million
Pace knew the team was going to lose
Roy Robertson-Harris to free agency. The young defensive end had priced himself out of their range. Luckily, the emergence of Edwards Jr. last season was a welcome surprise. He's also just 27-years old and in his prime. Being able to retain him as a quality rotational defensive end at just under $4 million per year is fair. While he has a two-game suspension for PEDs looming this season, he should remain a productive part of their interior pass rush.
Grade: B
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qb5CZCKwiI0&ab_channel=ChicagoBears
Andy Dalton - 1-year deal for $10 million
No doubt the big one people are
waiting for. Facts are facts. Dalton is not Russell Wilson. He's not Deshaun Watson. The best thing one can say about him is he's not Mitch Trubisky or Nick Foles too. Bears fans are understandably disappointed by this signing. It's hard to find optimism about a team with Dalton under center. He isn't a good quarterback. However, he isn't a bad one either.
Dalton is average. How many times did Bears fans say even an average quarterback could win with this team? Well, they got one. The 33-year old isn't going to put the team on his shoulders, but if given protection and some solid weapons? He'll perform. Last season prove that. When he became the official starter for Dallas last season, he had a stretch where he threw 13 touchdowns to just four interceptions in six games. If they get that guy? They might be okay.
Grade: C
Germain Ifedi - 1-year deal for $4.25 million
Cutting
Bobby Massie opened a void at right tackle the Bears needed to fill. Ifedi ended up being his replacement not only in 2020 after he got injured but now appears to be his replacement permanently. The former Seahawks 1st round pick deserves credit for his performance last year. He started out at right guard as planned but unselfishly moved to right tackle after injuries wracked the position. In the end, he only gave up two sacks and was a big part of their running game. Securing him for less than $5 million isn't too bad for the Bears.
Grade: B-
