Chicago Bears Insider: Priority Internal Free Agent Signings for the Bears

If you have been watching the news and reading about the NFL lockout online you might be starting to get the feeling that the lockout could be over in the next 30 days or so.  It appears as if the owners and the players are working hard at coming to an agreement and we could have one sometime in the very near future.

If they do come to an agreement soon (or later) the Bears are going to have to bring back some of the players that are free agents (or supposed to be free agents under the old system).  There is a desperate need to have some of those free agents come back due to the Bear’s current lack of depth at some positions.

So which of the Bears free agents should they re-sign?  Let’s take a look at some of the guys that would be critical for them to bring back next year and check on their chances of being able actually sign with the team.

Antony Adams

The Bears need to have Adams come back to help stabilize the defensive tackle position.  Sure, they did draft Stephen Paea but they lost Tommie Harris and don’t have much depth at the position.

Look for the Bears to make an attempt to try to sign Adams to a deal and keep him around for at least one more season.

Rashied Davis

Davis has been close to being cut several times over the past few seasons but he always manages to stay on the roster.  Could the Bears have enough interest in him to keep him this year?  Keeping him may depend on what happens with special teams ace Corey Graham.  If the Bears end up signing Graham then it’s possible that Davis could be gone permanently.  They may see some value in him as a wide receiver too so depending on how things shape up with their wide receiver corps overall so they may choose to keep him around.

Corey Graham

Graham was a key part of the Bears special teams units last year and he should have gone to the Pro Bowl.  Perhaps because of his ability to play well as a gunner on special teams other NFL teams will choose to try to give him a shot on their team.  The Bears would make a mistake if they let him go because of his value on special teams so they may choose to keep him around.  If he does re-sign with the Bears then Davis and outside linebacker Brian Iwuh may not get re-signed.

Caleb Hanie

The Bears have to try to re-sign Hanie and all indications point to the fact that he will indeed sign with the Bears and will be their second string quarterback.  The Bears have three other quarterbacks on the roster (not counting Jay Cutler) including Todd Collins, Matt Guttierez and Nathan Enderle but Hanie is the best option as a second string quarterback and will see at least one more season in Chicago.

Brian Iwuh

Iwuh was a nice addition last year and even stepped in to help out when linebacker Lance Briggs got injured.  He has value on special teams and this may give the Bears enough interest to try to bring him back and have him be a backup and a valuable special teams performer.  A lot of what happens here will depend on what they decide to do with Nick Roach and even Pisa Tinoisamoa.

Olin Kreutz

Signing Kreutz should be a no-brainer to be honest as the Bears need that veteran continuity on their team to help their offensive line stabilize.  Even if they sign him to a one-year deal the Bears need to bring him back because he’s going to help that offensive line excel and hopefully be better than it was last season.  The only question is will the aging center be able to stand up (once again) to the rigors of another season?

Nick Roach

The Bears are very weak at the outside linebacker position so Roach is in their sights for being re-signed.  Roach has started at the outside linebacker position (opposite Briggs) in the past and has the knowledge of the system.  It would be ideal for the Bears to bring him back and possibly start him at that outside linebacker position opposite Briggs in 2011 so look for the Bears to bring him back this offseason.

Kahlil Bell

This one could go either way to be honest.  If you look at what the Bears have behind starter Matt Forte and backup Chester Taylor things do appear to get a little bit scary.  It’s highly unlikely that Garrett Wolfe will be back and last year’s lone supplemental draft pick, Harvey Unga, is a big unknown.  We may see Chicago try to bring him back and use him for depth at the running back position.

Those Who Won’t Be Back in 2011

Devin Aromashodu-WR-Aromashodu came into the 2010 season as a possible number one wide receiver but he fell out favor with the coaching staff early and never really caught on again.  It’s doubtful that the Bears are going to bring him back.

Josh Bullocks-S-Bullocks hasn’t done much since coming to the Bears and won’t be brought back unless they feel that their safety position is weak and undermanned heading into the season.

Desmond Clark-TE-Clark has moved past his prime and the Bears realized this last year as they basically shut him down in almost every game.  Clark still has a little bit of something left but he won’t be finding a job with the Bears in 2011.

Brad Maynard-P-Chicago has seemingly had a love-hate relationship with Maynard despite the fact that he has had some good seasons with the Bears.  Chicago brought in the younger Richmond McGee to compete and if they don’t bring Maynard back, which it looks like they won’t, McGee will be the Bear’s new punter.

Todd Collins-QB-Don’t expect Collins to be back after the dismal performances he had replacing Cutler last season.  The Bears have their quarterbacks in place and won’t have him back again.

Danieal Manning-S-Manning wants more money and Chicago isn’t going to give it to him so if he can break free of the Bears and get the money he wants he won’t be back in Chicago.

Pisa Tinoisamoa-OLB-The Bears do have a need at the outside linebacker position but if they get Roach and Iwuh back then they may not have a need for Tinoisamoa.  Besides that, Tinoisamoa has spent a lot of time on the sidelines injured so the Bears may be wary of bringing him back.

Edwin Williams-G/C-Williams plays both center and guard and may actually have enough value for the Bears so he may end up being brought back by the team when things get going again.  The Bears have a shortage of good offensive linemen and while Williams isn’t the best offensive lineman nor that significant of a player he does have experience and could step in if the Bears need someone to.

Because of that they might need the help Williams may end up being back with the Bears next season.

Rod Wilson-LB-Wilson could actually be back if the Bears are unable to stabilize their outside linebacker position opposite Briggs.  They are sure to sign Roach and will probably bring back Iwuh but will they find out that they need even more depth at the position?  And would Wilson provide them with that depth?

Consider his status (for being resigned) up in the air depending on what the Bears decide to do with some of the other free agents at the position.

Garrett Wolfe-RB-Wolfe ended up having a little trouble this offseason but the serious charges have been wiped away and he will be ready to play next season.  The question is will he be back and playing with the Bears?  It’s highly unlikely that the Bears are going to bring him back unless they see the need at the running back position.  Wolfe just doesn’t do much for the team and if he was resigned he would be taking up a roster spot for someone that might be much more valuable.