New Chicago Bears Target Emerges In Unfolding Free Agent Market

The Chicago Bears got the first swing off of free agency when they reached a deal with 25-year-old running back D'Andre Swift on a three-year contract. He will bolster their inventory of offensive weapons. However, everything went quiet after that quick surge out of the gate. GM Ryan Poles did not make another move for the rest of the day. People were surprised, given the array of talent available. However, it appears the Bears are content to let the market settle before venturing back out for more help.

One thing to remember with Poles is he's not going to overpay for plays. He will bow out if he senses somebody's price tag is going beyond a certain point. He did it multiple times last year, and almost all of those decisions proved wise. Still, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune believes the Bears have at least one more goal they'd like to get accomplished. That is adding another edge rusher. While Danielle Hunter is the big prize, Biggs thinks there is another more realistic name that could be in the mix.

"One possible fit could be Josh Uche of the New England Patriots. He would fit the role of a nickel pass rusher. He has 18 1/2 career sacks in four seasons with 11 1/2 coming in 2022."

Uche would be an interesting fit for the Chicago Bears.

He doesn't have the ideal size at 6'1 and 240 lbs, but he's got long arms and an explosive first step as a pass rusher. His 11.5 sacks in 2022 was the first indication of his potential. However, he took a step back last year with only three. Granted, he played on a defense that had several problems. It isn't unreasonable to think he'd do much better in Chicago, where he could play across from Montez Sweat and have a strong secondary supporting him. It comes down to what sort of contract he is looking for.

Projections from cap experts suggest Uche will command around $7-8 million annually. That is slightly less than what Yannick Ngakoue got last season from the Chicago Bears. If the team wishes to put off drafting a pass rusher for another year, signing Uche makes sense. He can give them a credible threat off the edge to complement Sweat for a year. Or maybe they'd view him as a perfect third rusher while hoping to add the other starter with the #9 pick. Plenty of possibilities.