Chicago Bears: Power Ranking the 14 Free Agents

With so many needs facing the Chicago Bears both for the immediate and long-term future, it is imperative that they don't create more holes by letting their own best free agents walk away.

They did sign center Roberto Garza, wide receiver Earl Bennett and offensive lineman Edwin Williams to contract extensions before the end of the regular season, so that does help.  

But the Bears still have 14 players eligible for free agency as of 3 p.m. CT on March 13.

In an effort to help the Bears, I have graciously prioritized their free agents, so that the new GM (whoever he is and whenever he gets here) will quickly be able to decide who to keep and who to let go.

Next to the player's name I have also indicated whether the player is a restricted or unrestricted free agent. Most restricted free agents get re-signed, since teams have the ability to match any offers and the signing team has to relinquish draft picks.

Fortunately for the Bears, the majority of the core of the team is under contract for next season.

So let's take a look at who matters.  

14. Caleb Hanie, Unrestricted

Hanie will not return to the Bears next season after a disastrous experience replacing Cutler as the Bears QB.

Not all of it was his fault, of course, but he just did not look like an NFL QB despite good wheels.

13. Roy Williams, Unrestricted

Roy Williams was a disappointing player on the field and a jerk off of it.

He can take his "nothing is ever my fault" butt and get on out of here.

The receiver with alligator arms started catching some passes late in the season, but it was too late for me.

He's part of the "Cowboys Connection" (with Barber and Sam Hurd) that was a big mistake.

12. Brandon Meriweather, Unrestricted

Meriweather was a bust in Chicago after being released by New England.

A $3.25 million mistake, there is little chance he comes back.

11. Zack Bowman, Unrestricted

Bowman isn't a fit in the cover-2, and his play against Green Bay tarnished his reputation.

He should not return.

10. Chris Massey, Unrestricted

Massey had some big shoes to fill when Patrick Mannelly got injured (torn ACL), but he did fine, as there were no botched snaps during his time here.

But if Mannelly is healthy and doesn't retire, there will be no use for Massey.

Just in case, though, they should keep him handy.

9. Kellen Davis, Unrestricted

Davis has not shown the ability to be a big pass catcher, but with Martz as the offensive coordinator, he really didn't get that many chances.

With Tice taking over, the tight end position should be a target once again, so the Bears will be looking for a big TE.

If they can't find one, Davis will be the guy.

He did catch five TDs last season and is a good run blocker. Lovie likes him, so expect him back.

8. Amobi Okoye, Unrestricted

The Bears took a chance on Okoye and all in all, he was decent enough to warrant another look.

He will need to get more sacks if he's going to ever be a starter here, but he's still young and could improve.

He shouldn't cost very much, so the Bears will likely bring him back.

7. Craig Steltz, Unrestricted

If you would have asked me about Steltz prior to this season, I would have told you that I wouldn't throw water on him if he was on fire.

But he played surprisingly well in the second half of the season.

Despite not playing much, Steltz finished with 48 tackles, three tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles and one sack, and he was fourth on the team with 12 special teams stops.

Steltz will likely return to Chicago next season, and he's earned it.

6. Josh McCown, Unrestricted

McCown didn't set any records, but he played well enough in the final two games of the year to come back as the Bears' backup to Cutler.

By all accounts he is a good guy, and teammates like him.

Of course, there are lots of unrestricted free agent QBs out there, so he is not as high of a priority as he normally would be.

Still, with a lot of those other options (such as Kyle Orton) more interested in competing for a starting job, the Bears' best bet may be to bring McCown back for another season.

5. Tim Jennings, Unrestricted

Jennings got into Lovie Smith's doghouse last season but may have climbed out of it.

I hope so, because he's a good little player for such a small guy.

He plays fearlessly and tackles aggressively.

In coverage he got burned sometimes, but overall I felt he did a nice job for the Bears.

He is said to be looking for a raise from his $1.9 million salary, so that could be an issue.

Still, if he gets a solid offer, he could be gone.

4. Kahlil Bell, Restricted

Bell played well over the final three weeks of the season, rushing for a career-high 121 yards on 23 carries versus the Packers.

His problem, however, is holding onto the football.

He fumbled the ball three times in the final two games (he lost one), but overall did a great job filling in for Matt Forte and Marion Barber.

In all likelihood, he will be back as the No. 2 back behind Forte next season.

3. Israel Idonije, Unrestricted

Idonije had a down season in 2011, compared to his 2010 coming out party, but to let him walk would not be a good idea for the Bears.

Unless they are willing to make a big-money offer for a guy like Cliff Avril, to allow a 5-8 sacks player to leave with nothing in return may not make much sense, especially for a team that lacks a consistent pass-rush.

2. Corey Graham, Unrestricted

Graham was a free agent last season, too, but he didn't find any teams willing to pay him as a starting cornerback.

So he returned to the Bears.

Now, however, after looking surprisingly decent in late-season action at the nickel, there could be more competition for his services.

But it isn't the corner position that the Bears need Graham for—he is their best special teams player, and they really need him back.

But would the Bears be willing to pay him as a corner? That's the question.

1. Matt Forte, Unrestricted

Forte is an unrestricted free agent, but Forte and many Bears fans expect the Bears to franchise tag the running back.

However, with GM Jerry Angelo gone, the new GM may decide to work out a contract extension that would keep Forte under team control for the next few years.

As it stands right now, the Bears can tag Forte for the next season and 2013.

But following a knee injury that reminds everyone how tenuous an NFL career may be, along with the emergence of Kahlil Bell, is that a certainty?

I believe so, yes. He's become one of the top all-purpose backs in the league, and with Mike Tice taking the reins as offensive coordinator, you can expect the running game to be even more important.

With Forte being so much a part of the Bears offense, both rushing and receiving, he will return.