The class of Chicago Bears free agents for 2020 is pretty extensive in terms of numbers. A total of 22 not including recent cuts Taylor Gabriel and Prince Amukamara. With somewhere between $24-26 million in salary cap space, GM Ryan Pace doesn't have a lot of wiggle room. So he'll have to approach things with caution on who he decides to keep and who he'll have to let test the market just over a week from now.
So who are the names that will be a priority for them to reach decisions on? While plenty of notable players like Patrick Scales and Cornelius Lucas have vital functions on the roster, they don't move the needle like certain others do. Here are the five people should keep a close watch on and what their likely fates will be.
What happens to the biggest Chicago Bears free agents?
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
- 27-years old
- 78 tackles
- 2 INTs
- 1 TD
Clinton-Dix agreed to a discounted one-year deal to join the Bears defense in 2019. All things considered, he played well. He made some nice plays and didn't have too many negative ones. He's squarely in his prime now. By most accounts, he is definitely interested in staying put. He is great friends with Eddie Jackson and seems to like the freedom he has in Chuck Pagano's system.
Likely fate: Free agency
Wanting to stay and being able to are different things. Multiple experts believe Clinton-Dix should have a robust market given the general lack of free safeties this year. Chicago just made Jackson the highest-paid safety in the league and some think the two of them together aren't the best pairing because Clinton-Dix doesn't fit the role of a box safety like Adrian Amos did. With bigger priorities elsewhere, the Bears will let him walk.
Nick Kwiatkoski
- 26-years old
- 76 tackles
- 3 sacks
- 1 INT
- 1 safety
- 1 forced fumble
What a story this kid has become. A 4th round pick in 2016, Kwiatkoski spent three years as a backup in Chicago, often being passed up for other options like Jerrell Freeman and Roquan Smith. Then his opportunity finally came last year when Danny Trevathan went down. He more than seized it, looking like a legitimate starter from the moment he got on the field. Other teams have taken notice with a lot of buzz that he'll have suitors if the Bears let him reach the market.
Likely fate: Free agency
It sounds like Pace really wants to keep Kwiatkoski. Not a surprise. The GM always prefers to reward his own players. The problem is the price tag is getting to a point where the Bears can't afford it. They have to start thinking about paying Roquan Smith soon and if he plays like he did before getting hurt last year, that will require considerable cash. Kwiatkoski is a good player, but in this business, sacrifices are sometimes needed. He'll likely do what Amos did a year ago. Sign a nice deal elsewhere and secure the Bears a compensatory draft pick in 2021.
Danny Trevathan
- 29-years old
- 70 tackles
- 1 sack
- 1 forced fumble
Trevathan was on pace to set a career-high in tackles last season with 70 through his first nine games. Then a freak accident while talking Jeff Driskel in a game against Detroit saw him dislocate his elbow. He was lost for the rest of the year. So the good news is his injury wasn't to his lower body. Trevathan showed he still has plenty of quickness and speed. Even with his 30th birthday at hand. Throw in the leadership he brings, and the guy has plenty of value.
Likely fate: Re-signs
With Kwiatkoski gone, the Bears keeping Trevathan is the avenue to expect. Though older, he can still play and should come at a reduced price given his age and coming off a season-ending injury. They will likely sign him to a two or three-year deal with the hope he can keep producing while they resume their search for a possible heir down the line. Pace did draft Kwiatkoski after all.
Nick Williams
- 30-years old
- 42 tackles
- 6 sacks
Such a great story. Williams could barely get on the field for the first four seasons of his career. He signs with the Bears and manages to work his way onto the roster and then last season comes out of nowhere to collect six sacks after Akiem Hicks went down with his elbow injury. The second-most on the entire team behind Khalil Mack. Really cool stuff and the timing might be perfect.
Likely fate: Free agency
Teams are always looking for big interior defensive linemen who can rush the quarterback. Williams proved he was capable of doing that last season. While keeping him would be nice for the Bears, they have a lot of depth on that part of their roster and not a lot of money to spend. Unless he was willing to take a team-friendly deal, his return doesn't feel likely. At his age, he knows this is probably his last chance to get a decent payday.
Sherrick McManis
The last man standing of the Lovie Smith era. Who would've thought that? McManis arrived as a backup corner in 2012 and has stuck around for eight years as one of the best special teams players in the league. He's also done well in part-time work on defense when asked. An injury shortened his season to just nine games last year, but there have been no signs of sagging effectiveness in the third phase. So keeping him would certainly help.
Likely fate: Re-signs
The cost of keeping him shouldn't be too bad for the Bears. Probably just over $1 million. That is a nice bargain for a guy who can keep your third phase steady alongside Cordarrelle Patterson. At this stage of his career there's no reason to think McManis is interested in going anywhere else. So negotiations shouldn't be that much of an issue.
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