Several Top Free Agents The Chicago Bears Can Still Pursue

The Chicago Bears have had an interesting start to their 2023 free agency. GM Ryan Poles came out swinging, landing Pro Bowl linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, underrated linebacker T.J. Edwards, athletic guard Nate Davis, and rugged defensive lineman DeMarcus Walker. After that, the team went mostly silent. Their only move since was signing backup running back Travis Homer, an excellent special teams piece who can help in pass protection. One source believes Poles is now waiting the market out to see if prices start dropping.

That said, the Bears aren't finished. There is still lots of work to do overhauling this roster before the NFL draft arrives next month. They have over $40 million in cap space remaining. That is more than enough to score at least two more solid veterans. Here are some names still available that might be able to help them depending on how flexible Poles is willing to be.

The Chicago Bears still have plenty of options available.

Orlando Brown Jr. (OT)

The Bears came into the off-season hoping to land help at right tackle. That market has since dried up. Brown Jr. went to two Pro Bowls in Baltimore as a right tackle. However, he seems determined to play on the left side since then. The way forward appears to be paying him top left tackle money and convincing him to play on the right side. He'd probably be okay with that. The problem is Brown isn't the greatest fit for the Bears' offense. He isn't known for his mobility or quickness. His pass protection also hasn't been stellar the past two years, allowing over 100 pressures, 23 hits, and ten sacks. So unless he lowers his price tag, this one feels unlikely.

A'Shawn Robinson (DT)

Yes, finding that dominant interior pass rusher remains a priority for the Chicago Bears. That said, the run defense was atrocious last season. Nobody on the defensive line could stop the bleeding each week. Finding somebody that can stand his ground and plug gaps would be a huge help. Robinson is one of the better defensive tackles in the league at this job. He's big, long, and powerful. Moving him off his spot is difficult. He will never be a pass rush guy, but as a nose tackle, he would help immediately.

Yannick Ngakoue (EDGE)

The Bears had 20 sacks in 2022. It was one of the worst performances by a defensive line in franchise history. It wasn't surprising when they traded Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn while letting Akiem Hicks walk. Rebuilding that line is vital to this defense's future success. Ngakoue isn't the best all-around lineman. He's always been an average run defender at best. However, nobody can deny his gift for rushing the passer. He has posted at least eight sacks every year since entering the league in 2016. For what he is, Ngakoue has great value.

Shaquill Griffin (CB)

Health setbacks have plagued the cornerback over the past two seasons. However, Griffin shows good physicality and a nose for the football when on the field. He made the Pro Bowl in Seattle and was highly effective in their zone-based 4-3 defense. Joining Jacksonville in 2021 to play in their 3-4 was a mistake. Then injuries derailed him last year. He is still only 27 and should be healthy now. The Chicago Bears need a #2 corner opposite Jaylon Johnson. Griffin could be a perfect short-term gamble.

Austin Hooper (TE)

Cole Kmet played his best season in 2022 for the Bears. His progress has been steady and encouraging. However, the situation behind him isn't ideal. There is no #2 option on the roster. The Bears could really use another viable target to help create mismatches. Hooper was excellent towards the end of his time in Atlanta. However, things never quite got off the ground in Tennessee. He remained a presence in the passing game with around 400 yards each year but never had a breakout season. Still, he is 28 and can make a solid pairing next to Kmet.

Miles Sanders (RB)

The exit of David Montgomery wasn't totally unexpected, but it still stung. This leaves a noticeable void at running back. Smart money says Poles will look for solutions in the draft, but if not, then Sanders makes the most sense. He is 26 years old and coming off the best season of his career with 1,269 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Philadelphia Eagles. He has the necessary patience and vision to function well in a wide-zone scheme. Assistant GM Ian Cunningham also has ties to him. The price tag will be the key part of this. If the Bears weren't willing to pay Montgomery $6 million per year, Sanders can't expect too much.