Alright y'all, buckle up. This isn’t your run‑of‑the‑mill offseason blurb. We’re in full crisis mode. The secondary for the Chicago Bears is on life support right now, and there’s one free agent who fits the exact template of what this team needs. That guy is Asante Samuel Jr. And if the Bears don’t act fast, they’ll look back on this moment and regret sitting by while a playoff ticket evaporated.
The Cornerback Crisis — It’s Real, It’s Ugly
Let’s lay it bare: Chicago’s in deep. All four cornerbacks are either down or already had some sort of injury this season.
- Jaylon Johnson (Pro Bowl level) is on IR after core‑muscle surgery.
- Kyler Gordon is on IR with groin/calf issues.
- Tyrique Stevenson was week‑to‑week with a shoulder injury.
And the depth? Terell Smith is done for the year (torn patellar tendon).
They’re ranked 29th in points allowed (28.4 PPG) this year. A dramatic fall from 7th in 2024.
That’s unacceptable for a team that believes it can make a run.
Internal options? Not remotely ready. This is a need and a half.
Who Is Asante Samuel Jr.? — The Data Speaks
Before you say, “But wasn’t he hurt?” Yes. But let’s focus on what he was when healthy — and why his profile fits Chicago’s scheme.
Ball production / playmaking
- 37 career passes defensed, 6 interceptions over early NFL stint.
- According to SI, his 80.8 PFF coverage grade across 2022‑2023 ranked 12th among 67 qualifying corners.
This guy knows how to get his hand on the ball and make plays. That’s exactly what you want when your secondary is brittle and you need impact now.
Coverage metrics
- Career completion % allowed around 59.5%, below league average of ~62%.
- His PFF coverage grade in 2022/23: ~75.6 → maps to “elite” territory.
For a CB in a zone‑heavy scheme, that’s gold.
Durability / availability (context, not sugarcoated)
- From 2021‑2023: started 43 of 46 possible games (~93.5% availability).
- 2024? Snapped by injury (neck surgery / shoulder issues) and only 4 games.
So yes, there’s a “but” here. But if you believe he’s healthy now (and the medical things check out), then you’re buying high on his prime years (25‑26 years old) for relatively low cost.
Why He’s a Perfect Fit for DC Dennis Allen / Scheme
This isn’t just “good corner available.” This is “corner available whose strengths map 1:1 to your defensive DNA.”
- Allen’s defense spends ~67% of snaps in zone — Samuel’s best work has come in zone‑heavy systems.
- He showed strong press/man ability in college (allowed just 12% completion rate in press).
- The ball‑hawk mindset lines up with Allen’s priority on turnovers.
In short: the scheme engineers built this corner. If the Bears plug him in, you’re not changing much — you’re plugging in someone built for it.
Financial/Market Case — Low Risk, High Upside
Here’s where this gets interesting: The cost is manageable. The upside is big.
- Pre‑injury projections: 4 years, ~$48m ($12m AAV) per Spotrac.
- After injury: One‐year “prove‐it” deal in the $8–10m range.
- Bears cap space: ~$7.88m currently. With restructures/incentives, this is within reach.
So you’re not mortgaging the future. You’re buying what could be a top‑tier corner for one year at modest cost. If it works, you keep or re‑sign. If it doesn’t, you walk away without catastrophe.
Timing & Urgency — Why Waiting Is a Mistake
- Bears are 5‑3 in a tight NFC North race: Lions 5‑3, Packers 5‑2‑1, Bears 5‑3, Vikings 4‑4. Time is ticking.
- Multiple teams are already sniffing around Samuel (Dolphins, Saints, Bills, etc).
- Also: Bears remaining schedule features several high‑powered passing offenses. If the secondary continues to get gashed, the season slips away.
If you’re going to bring him in, you do it now. Waiting means fewer choices, tougher negotiation, and risk losing him to someone else.
The Alternatives — Why They Don’t Measure Up
- Trade targets: Riq Woolen (inconsistent, high draft cost).
- Alontae Taylor (rookie deal, less proven).
- Free agents: In this tier of CBs, Samuel stands out. Younger, more ball production, higher ceiling.
So you can chase “someone okay” or go for the guy who’s been there when healthy and fits your system. The choice is obvious.
Risks — Let’s Be Real
- Injury history: 2024 neck/shoulder. Must verify health.
- Tackle/run support may be weaker than ideal
- Transition: If he comes in, he has to adapt quickly to a new team, playbook, environment.
But those risks are mitigated by the one‑year deal + incentive structure + his age (25). So it’s not a hopeless gamble — it’s a calculated one.
Final Verdict
The Bears are staring at a division and playoff race where the secondary could be the Achilles’ heel.
They’ve got a cornerback on the market who fits their defensive identity, which they badly need, whose cost is manageable, whose upside is high — and all the stars align for a signing now.
If I were sitting in the Ryan Poles chair? I’m on the phone tonight to Samuel’s agent: “Let’s make this work.”
Because if the Bears hesitate, wait, or settle? They’ll probably look back at this moment as the one they missed the boat on. And that will f*ckin suck.
Ryan Poles you know what to do.
