Free Agents Bears Should Pursue After 2023 NFL Draft
Entering the offseason, the Chicago Bears had a ton of financial flexibility. They've used that to their advantage, improving a roster that needed significant upgrades on both sides of the ball. They continued that process during the 2023 NFL draft two weekends ago.
But the Bears may not be done making moves. After all, they still have $35.78 million in available cap space, per Over The Cap, the most remaining of any NFL team.
Chicago has a better team than it did during the 2022 season, when it went a league-worst 3-14. However, it still has areas of the roster that could be improved. It has enough time to target some remaining free agents and add to those position groups, too.
With the draft over, here's a look at some free agents the Bears may still want to consider signing ahead of the 2023 season.
Frank Clark, DE
1 of 3
Last year, Chicago finished with an NFL-low 20 sacks, as its pass rush just wasn't good enough at putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The team likely hasn't done enough to make that unit better in 2023.
DeMarcus Walker has been the Bears' most notable offseason acquisition for the defensive front, and the 28-year-old should make a difference. But not enough of one to get this group where it needs to be. Plus, no edge-rushers were brought in during the draft.
One way Chicago could improve its pass rush is by signing Frank Clark. The 29-year-old is among the top players still on the free-agent market, as he's a three-time Pro Bowler who just helped the Kansas City Chiefs win a Super Bowl title this past season.
Although Clark had only five sacks in 15 games last year, he's great at creating pressure and would help make the rest of the Bears' defensive front better. He's also reliable, having started 14 or more games in four of the previous five seasons.
Yannick Ngakoue, DE
2 of 3
Clark isn't the only talented edge-rusher remaining in free agency at this juncture of the offseason. There are some other talented defensive ends still on the market, and that group includes Yannick Ngakoue, who could be another strong target for Chicago to consider.
The 28-year-old Ngakoue has already played for five teams over his seven-year NFL career. He's been effective along most of those stops. In 2022, he recorded 9.5 sacks while starting 15 games in his lone season with the Indianapolis Colts.
Ngakoue has notched eight or more sacks every year. Meanwhile, the Bears didn't have any players who finished with more than four last season.
Maybe Chicago only needs to sign Clark or Ngakoue, but it's important for a team to keep its options open. And the Bears need as much pass-rushing help as they can get, especially because it's important to have depth on the edges.
Cameron Fleming, OT
3 of 3
Chicago has its long-term starter at right tackle in Darnell Wright, who was selected with the No. 10 overall pick in this year's draft. But the left side is a bit more uncertain. Right now, the projected starter to protect quarterback Justin Fields' blind side is Braxton Jones, who started 17 games as a rookie in 2022.
But Jones, a fifth-round draft pick, partially started due to necessity. The Bears also have less depth at the tackle spots after deciding to convert Teven Jenkins to left guard this offseason.
So it makes a ton of sense for Chicago to bring in a veteran tackle who can either start on the left side or at least serve as a quality backup to Jones. Cameron Fleming, a 30-year-old with nine years of NFL experience, could be a great fit.
Fleming has made 61 career starts, including 15 last season for the Denver Broncos. So he could provide some stability and leadership for the Bears.
.jpg?w=256 "Titans Camp Football")
.jpg?w=256 "Rams Seahawks Football")
.jpg?w=480 "Titans Camp Football")
.jpg?w=480 "Rams Seahawks Football")
.jpg?w=480 "49ers Eagles Football")
.jpg?w=600 "Making Sense of Every NFL Backfield After Draft 🧐")