5 Impending Free Agents Who Would Be Perfect Fits for the Bears

Much of the drama has passed for the Chicago Bears. Now, it will be up to a new general manager and head coach to retool this team and get it back to being a NFC force. 

There are plenty of questions surrounding this roster including who the quarterback will be next year, what the defense will look like and how the offense can get the most out of its prolific weapons. 

This might be the best time for the Bears to switch out of the longstanding 4-3 defense. Numerous free agents can help make that transition, and they highlight the five best fits for the Bears in 2015. 

Click ahead to see the names and tell us what you think about them down below in the comments section. 

Right Tackle Doug Free

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It was a rough season for the Bears offensive line. Right guard Kyle Long was the only stable player in a group that was marred by injuries and inconsistency. 

One glaring hole on the line even when everybody was healthy was right tackle. The combination of Jordan Mills, Michael Ola and Charles Leno was less than desirable. 

Next season the Bears will still have Jermon Bushrod at left tackle, Matt Slauson coming back from injury at left guard, a question mark at center with Roberto Garza currently penciled in and Long at right guard. 

The Bears can find a young center in the draft but should spend a little money on grabbing another tackle. Cowboys right tackle Doug Free would be perfect. 

Free missed five games due to an injury this year but has been durable throughout his career. The Northern Illinois product would be a great addition to kick-start the running game and protect Jay Cutler or whoever the quarterback might be. 

Inside Linebacker David Harris

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Since Brian Urlacher retired, the Bears have had no stability at inside linebacker. Not having that reliable player in the middle really causes a defense to suffer. 

With a new coaching regime coming in, the Bears very well could switch to a 3-4 defense. If they do, they are going to need players who fit the scheme and could call one of the league's most reliable linebackers. 

David Harris from the Jets is as steady as it gets. 

He has not missed a game in six straight seasons. He's a tackling machine who has racked up nearly 600 in his career and should be considered one of the league's most underrated players. 

If the Bears are going to make the change, then Harris would look good next to Jon Bostic, helping the 23-year-old learn the ropes. 

Free Safety Devin McCourty

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Safety has been an issue for the Bears for quite some time now. Former general manager Phil Emery brought in a bunch of average-at-best players, but nobody really stepped up to solidify the free or strong safety spot. 

Ryan Mundy was the only stable safety on the roster, and he should get another crack in 2015 under a new defensive coordinator. Chris Conte has likely seen his last game as a Bear, and Brock Vereen is still too green to be relied upon full time. 

The Bears would help their defense a great deal by finding a quality veteran in the back end—somebody who can assist the corners and make big plays at the same time. 

Patriots free safety Devin McCourty will be on the market. He fits in any style of defense and could likely draw the short end of the stick as the Patriots focus on locking down Darrelle Revis. 

McCourty, and his 17 career interceptions, would be a nice fit in the back end of the Bears defense. 

Quarterback Jake Locker

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Nobody at this point knows what's going to happen with Jay Cutler. He could be cut, traded or kept on the roster for another season. 

Considering there will be no quarterback worth drafting by the time the Bears pick in the first round, why not take a chance on a former eighth overall pick? 

Now's the time to buy low on Jake Locker. At 26 years old, he's a young player with talent who just can't stay healthy. He's played in only 14 games in the past two seasons for the Titans. 

The options outside of Cutler are slim to none. The Bears would be wise to keep Cutler and see if a new coaching staff can get him back to respectability but still work with a young guy who might have some upside. 

Some might say, What about Jimmy Clausen? At this point, he is not much more than a solid backup. There's no shame in that, but you know what you have already in him. David Fales hasn't even graduated to being a solid backup yet, so there's no way you want to rely on him right now. 

Bringing in Locker wouldn't cost much, and he can sit for a year, while the team figures out what Cutler has left. If it's not working with Cutler during the year, then Chicago can call in Locker in relief and see what he can do. If both players fail, then the Bears know they need a quarterback in the first round of the 2016 NFL draft. 

Outside Linebacker Justin Houston

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Do you want to invest big money into Ndamukong Suh—a leg-stomping controversial player who likely wants to be paid like J.J. Watt or Gerald McCoy?

Instead, how about the Bears completely go all-in on the switch to a 3-4 defense and sign Justin Houston? He will command big money, but it's hard to argue against 22 sacks this year and 48.5 overall in four seasons. 

This could work. Lamarr Houston is a better defensive end in a 3-4. Ego Ferguson can play the other defensive end spot, while Houston can rush off the edge. Willie Young 20 pounds lighter can stand up and attack off the other edge, and we mentioned David Harris with Jon Bostic earlier. 

A run-stuffing nose tackle is still missing from this group, but that can be sought in the draft or via free agency with a guy like Dan Williams from Arizona. 

You want to get back to being a team known for defense? Sign the best pass-rusher on the market and figure out how to build around him. It would certainly help 2014 first-round pick Kyle Fuller as he grows.