Restricted free agency doesn't get even a tenth of the attention unrestricted free agency does. There is a reason for this. The pool of players is smaller, and too often, the cost of signing one is way too high. Exceptions are possible though. It always depends on the situation. The Chicago Bears have to consider every avenue if they want to improve going forward. So if an RFA out there makes sense, then GM Ryan Poles can and will explore it.
One name that should be drawing more attention than it has is Azeez Al-Shaair. The former undrafted free agent out of Florida Atlantic was little more than a rotational backup during his first two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. That changed in 2021. Al-Shaair secured a starting job at outside linebacker and finished second on the team with 102 tackles. This despite missing four games. He also had two sacks, an interception, and a forced fumble.








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