Top Free Agents Bears Must Prioritize in NFL Offseason
The Chicago Bears' 2023 season is mercifully drawing to a close. And while it's never fun to go through a season in which you are in contention for the No. 1 pick in the draft, there's a ton of reason for hope in the new year.
That's because the Bears aren't just going to have a top draft pick to build the roster. They are going to be flush with cash to spend in free agency.
According to Spotrac, general manager Ryan Poles is going to have more than $120 million to spend in his second offseason on the job.
There are few in-house free agents who figure to command a large portion of that money. David Montgomery might be the most notable name, and it's not a lock they'll even want to bring him back based on Khalil Herbert's success—and he's a running back seeking a second contract.
That leaves plenty of the budget to go after some difference-makers who might be looking to get paid on the open market.
These three should be among their top priorities.
OT Orlando Brown Jr.
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Braxton Jones should be applauded for an outstanding rookie season. The odds of a fifth-round rookie slotting in at left tackle are slim, yet Jones has done so with a respectable level of efficiency.
The 23-year-old has ceded six sacks with nine penalties, but he's gotten better all season and boasts the 16th-highest grade of any tackle on PFF this year.
He's shown he can play in the league, but that shouldn't be enough to keep the Bears from making a run at Orlando Brown Jr. in free agency. The Kansas City Chiefs tackle played this year on the franchise tag, but the two sides did not come to an agreement on an extension.
Brown Jr. has demonstrated high-level play at both right and left tackle. Since 2019, he's never posted a PFF grade of lower than 72.0 and has given up four sacks or fewer in each of those games.
Bringing in Brown on a long-term contract and kicking Braxton Jones over to the right side could give the Bears a young, competent tackle tandem for the foreseeable future.
That would be huge for Justin Fields' development and set a high floor for the Bears offensive line.
CB Jamel Dean
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The Bears have invested some serious draft capital in the secondary in recent years. Jaylon Johnson was a second-round pick in 2020. The first two picks of the Ryan Poles era were defensive backs, Kyler Gordon and Jaquan Brisker.
The trio of Johnson, Gordon and Brisker is a good foundation, but an investment in Jamel Dean would really round out the group nicely.
Johnson is having his best year statistically. He's giving up a passer rating of 94.6 after giving up ratings of more than 100 in each of his first two seasons.
Gordon has made plenty of splash plays with three interceptions this season. He's also given up 688 yards and a completion percentage of 76.0 when targeted.
Jamel Dean would give the Bears' secondary a true No. 1 corner who would complement their existing personnel. Dean is set to hit free agency at 26 years old, meaning he's still in the middle of his prime.
Dean only has two interceptions this season, but he's put receivers on lock. He's giving up just a 79.0 passer rating with a 55.9 completion percentage and just 389 yards all season.
Those would easily be the best numbers in the Bears' cornerback room this season. It doesn't hurt that he has a Super Bowl win on his resume and could provide experience and leadership the group doesn't have.
DT Daron Payne
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There are few things more important to an NFL defense than the ability to get after the passer. Building one of the league's best pass rushes should be a priority to building a defense befitting the franchise's reputation for playing great defense.
Utilizing a likely top-three pick on Will Anderson Jr. could be a huge step in that direction, but signing a monster on the interior who can flush the pocket would be another.
Fortunately for the Bears, Daron Payne might hit the open market just in time to form a fearsome young defensive line.
Payne is in the final year of his contract with the Washington Commanders, and there's a chance he played his way out of being able to re-sign with the club. He had frustration with his contract situation in the spring.
Since then, he's had a career year racking up 9.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss. He has lived in the opponent's backfields this season, but the Commanders already have a lot of resources tied up in a defensive line that features Jonathan Allen, Montez Sweat and Chase Young.
Having four first-round picks on the defensive line sounds great until it's time to pay them all. The Bears just might be able to lure the 25-year-old out of the capital and into the Windy City to be the anchor of a blossoming defensive front.
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