Thinking about Super Bowls just isn't in the cards for the Chicago Bears right now. GM Ryan Pace and head coach John Fox have to set more realistic goals for 2017. Posting a winning record would be a step in the right direction. Otherwise they both know the odds of them keeping their jobs into 2018 grow more remote by the day.
Not an easy proposition, what with the team having just finished 3-13 last season. If it's going to happen, the Bears have to make an all-out push this off-season to improve the roster. It was injuries and lack of depth that doomed them in 2016. They can't control the former, but a productive process in free agency and the draft can correct the latter.
Free agency will be up first in early March. Given how the Bears have operated the past two years, it's fair to assume they will stick to that same methodology. With that in mind, there is one name that sticks out as a probable target for them.
INTO THE SPOTLIGHT
Duron Harmon is hardly a household name around the NFL. When thinking about New England Patriots defensive backs, he might be the fourth one who comes to mind after Malcolm Butler, Devin McCourty and Logan Ryan. A third round pick out of Rutgers, he has only started 12 games for the Patriots in his career. To date he has nine interceptions total, including two in the playoffs. [video width="1280" height="720" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/New-England-Patriots-safety-Duron-Harmon-intercepts-Baltimore-Ravens-quarterback-Joe-Flacco-for-a-touchback-NFL-Videos.mp4"][/video] Don't let the modest numbers cloud reality though. Harmon has been a versatile defensive weapon for the Patriots the past four seasons. His two championship rings are enough to prove that. He's also earned a reputation for being one of the teams' defensive leaders. Bleacher Report columnist Brent Sobleski alluded to that when he called Harmon one of the most underrated free agents of 2017."Duron Harmon presents the most intriguing free-agent option for a couple of reasons. First, he's only 26 years old. Also, the safety finished first in coverage snaps per target and coverage snaps per reception as well as second in yards per coverage snap, per Pro Football Focus.
In a league where the ability to defend the pass is vital, Harmon can step into another defense as a top-flight coverage safety and leader after he helped inspire his team during Super Bowl LI.
According to Long, per the Providence Journal's Mark Daniels, Harmon walked into the Patriots' locker room at halftime and stated, "This is going to be the best comeback of all time." Long added, "We completely believed it."
SMART SPENDING
At this point it's hard to see Harmon staying in New England. They have several other free agents they'll be focused on. Besides that they've never been known for paying big money for defensive backs. Besides that he already has two rings. His primary focus is virtually guaranteed to be about get the best contract he can.The Bears have every reason to make that push. If any player in this free agent class looks like a Pace signing, it's Harmon. What is a Pace signing? It's a younger, "ascending" talent who is just beginning to play his best football and might come slightly cheaper than other high profile names at the same position. It stands to reason Harmon won't demand near the same money as Eric Berry or Tony Jefferson. A Chicago Bears Duron Harmon contract agreement is everything the team wants. He's a 6'1" safety with coverage ability who understands how to take the ball away. None of their current options like Adrian Amos, Harold Jones-Quartey or Deon Bush have reflected similar capability. Pace said he was ready to spend some money to help improve the team. This is his kind of purchase.
