Buying or Selling Latest Buzz on the Bears Free Agency Rumor Mill

We are one day away from a new NFL year and the start of the free-agency period. Teams can begin to sign free agents at 4 p.m. ET Tuesday. 

The three-day negotiating window opened this past Saturday, prompting all sorts of rumors and speculation. In the midst of the rumors, the Chicago Bears found themselves in the center of some juicy ones. 

Is there an impact defensive end on the way? What about a few new safeties? And who replaces Devin Hester?

Here are the five biggest rumors in free agency, and we will tell you if we're buying or selling them. 

Josh McCown Is 'Unlikely' to Re-Sign with the Bears

Matt Rourke/Associated Press

Shortly after the news broke of Devin Hester not coming back to Chicago, rumors began to swirl about quarterback Josh McCown. NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport said on the network's NFL Total Access that it "seems unlikely" McCown will come back to Chicago.

After signing quarterback Jay Cutler to a multiyear deal with $54 million in guaranteed money, the Bears might not be willing to spend much on a backup. 

Can McCown earn more with another team? Sure, he can. Chad Henne just got two-year deal worth $8 million from the Jacksonville Jaguars. 

Rapoport reports that the New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers would be interested in McCown's services as a backup.  

Still, it's just tough to imagine him taking a little more money to go to a worse situation. He's near the end of his career and might not want to spend what remains of it throwing to a putrid receiving core like what the Jets have to offer. 

Henne only got $4.5 million guaranteed. McCown would be given less than that. He would also go to a team with a young quarterback in place and some shaky receiver situations. 

If McCown goes to the Jets or Bucs, he will likely last only one season with the team. He can at least be Cutler's backup for another two seasons, and that's a little more money in the long run. 

Verdict: Sell

Bears Are Expected to Make a Play on Michael Bennett

Scott Eklund/Associated Press

Michael Bennett puts pressure on Drew Brees

If the Bears want to take the next step, their defense will have to catch up with their high-flying offense. This makes defense priority No. 1 in free agency. 

The Bears had a pitiful 31 sacks last season, and only 20 came from the defensive line. There's no doubt the team needs to improve its pass rush if it wants to successfully rebuild the defense.

Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett is one of the best defensive ends on the market. The five-year veteran and brother of Bears tight end Martellus Bennett had 8.5 sacks last season in a rotational role on the dominant Super Bowl-winning defense.

The Chicago Tribune's Brad Biggs reported that the Bears are interested in Bennett and that they reached out to him when the free-agent negotiating period opened Saturday.  

Bennett would be the perfect fit for the Bears. His high motor and great pass-rush skills would be a welcomed addition to the defense. 

Verdict: Buy

Bears Are Interested in Defensive End Michael Johnson

Tom Uhlman/Associated Press

Michael Johnson puts pressure on Jason Campbell

Michael Bennett will likely be a popular player when free agency starts, so the Bears might need a backup plan. Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Michael Johnson is the next-best pass-rusher behind Bennett. 

ESPN Chicago's Jeff Dickerson reported that the Bears were one of the teams that inquired about Johnson when the negotiating period opened Saturday. 

Johnson had only 3.5 sacks with the Bengals last year. It was a down season after he posted a career-high 11.5 sacks in 2012. 

At 6'7'', 270 pounds, Johnson is an imposing figure on the line. Even when he's not getting to the quarterback, he's effective in disrupting the passing game. He had 10 passes defended last season. 

The Bears need to cover all their bases. If they miss out on Bennett, they need a viable backup plan, and Johnson is it. The decision between the two ends could hinge on which one is more interested in playing in Chicago.

Verdict: Buy

The Bears Have Their Eyes on Two Safeties

Rick Osentoski/Associated Press

Ryan Mundy

After defensive end, the Bears have major holes at both safety spots. The question never has been will they go after a safety in free agency, it's who will they go after and will it be a big name? 

The Chicago Tribune's Brad Biggs tweeted Saturday that the Bears had safeties Ryan Mundy and Mike Mitchell in their crosshairs. He then went more in depth about the situation in an updated version of the Michael Bennett article.

Neither player is a big name, but both are very capable veterans who can make an impact. 

Mundy was originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, and spent last season with the New York Giants. He would be brought in to push Chris Conte at the free safety spot.

Mitchell would replace departing free agent Major Wright. Mitchell had four sacks and four interceptions on a Carolina Panthers defense ranked second in the league last season.

It's not surprising the Bears could spread out their money to two safeties instead of going after the big name like T.J. Ward or Jairus Byrd. They need two players and could get value in both veterans for the price of one big name.

Verdict: Buy

Bears Could Sign Darren Sproles to Replace Devin Hester

Elaine Thompson/Associated Press

Darren Sproles

The New Orleans Saints made news when they released electric running back and return man Darren Sproles. Coming off the heels of the Hester news, the rumors about Sproles to the Bears were sure to fly. 

NFL insider Dan Pompei (h/t Josh Hill of ProSportsDaily.com) writes that the Bears could sign Sproles to replace Hester. 

Pompei says that Sproles would be an outstanding fit, but given how much he would cost, current holes on the defense and his likely reduced role in the offense, it's unlikely to happen.

This isn't so much a rumor as it's just a columnist sharing his opinion. But while it would be fun to see Sproles on the Bears, don't hold your breath.

Verdict: Sell