The Chicago Bears are expected to scour the NFL waiver wire for players who could make an impact on the team.
NFL roster cutdown day has come and gone and the Chicago Bears are looking for ways to add depth to their opening day roster. NFL teams have made several players available, including a handful of potential starters. It is a given that the Bears will dive into the updated free-agency pool as they continue to build a winner.
In case anyone has missed the news, the Bears have already become the talk of the league.
The Bears dominated the headlines on cutdown Saturday by trading away their first-round picks from 2019 and 2020, along with additional draft capital for NFL All-Pro linebacker Khalil Mack.
Just hours after the Bears acquired Mack, the two sides agreed upon a deal which will make the 27-year-old the highest-paid defensive player ever. The expensive addition is likely not the only one that the Bears will make between now and next Sunday.
For now, the Bears have finalized their 53-man roster, however, some of the spots on the depth chart have been written in proverbial pencil and not permanent ink. There were some big names that who received their walking papers on Saturday. Five of the players who are available should have the Bears thinking about shopping again.
The Bears front office should look into creating a competition at punter.
Punter Shane Lechler was one of the more surprising of the players cut on Saturday. The 42-year-old has enjoyed an illustrious career with seven Pro Bowl nods. Despite having career-long success, the Houston Texans came to the conclusion that investing in the development of undrafted rookie Trevor Daniel over Lechler was the right move for the team.
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The Bears do not necessarily have a need for a punter with Pat O’Donnell on the roster, nevertheless, there is nothing which would suggest that he is a Bears’ front office favorite.
To further the aforementioned point, the Bears brought in undrafted rookie Ryan Winslow over the summer.
While no one truly knows if the Bears were trying to give O’Donnell some legitimate competition or just taking a flyer on a punter, it did not come across a true vote of confidence.
Another sign of the Bears waning faith in O’Donnell came during the offseason. With all of the money that the Bears handed out in March and April, giving O’Donnell a one-year contract spoke volumes.
If the Bears’ brass was enamored with O’Donnell they would have offered him a three-year deal. The Bears should take a look at Lechler for that reason alone.
The Bears may be set on the offensive line, but taking a look at a lineman with some versatility would be wise.
T.J. Clemmings is big and he has shown a nasty streak during some instances. Neither of those attributes equated in him sticking with the Washington Redskins, unfortunately.
The 6-foot-6 offensive tackle is searching for his third team in four seasons. Nagging injuries throughout the summer are likely to blame for Clemmings’ release. As a former fourth-round pick entering his prime years, Clemmings will assuredly receive some interest across the NFL.
Would it be a wise move for the Bears to kick the tires on Clemmings? The answer is yes! Protecting the huge investment the Bears made in Mitch Trubisky is always a good idea.
Clemmings had a second-round grade when he was taken by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2014 NFL Draft. He has the versatility to play both on the right and left sides of the football. His health would be enough to give Bears fans some cause for concern, however, especially given the injury history of the Bears’ current crop of linemen.
Adding Clemmings would give the Bears a depth piece on the offensive line, perhaps with a move to the inside.
Chances are slim that the Bears will go after Clemmings, nevertheless, adding him would make a lot of sense.
The idea of bringing in former Vikings’ defensive lineman Brian Robison has been on the minds of several Bears fans.
Brian Robison getting released by the Vikings raised a few eyebrows. Him being pursued by the Bears would be somewhat poetic.
After 11 productive seasons with the Vikings, Robison’s tenure comes to a close. He finished with 60 career sacks to go along with 13 forced fumbles as a defensive end primarily in a base 3-4 defense.
What is most shocking about the Vikings cutting Robison was that he has played there his entire career. It would suggest that loyalty is lost when it comes to football franchises. The good news for Robison is that he will not be unemployed for too long.
The Bears makes the most sense for Robison and vice versa for various reasons.
- Robison knows the NFC North in and out. His experience playing for the Vikings would help the Bears tremendously.
- Having another big and durable body as he Robison has only missed only three games in his career to shed blockers for the Bears’ linebackers would be a recipe for a top-5 defensive unit.
- Because Robison was one of the Vikings’ final cuts he may not want to move his family far. Playing for the Bears works when it comes to overall proximity.
- Robison, despite watching his numbers decline across the board last season still has something left. An opportunity to play for a team on the rise such as the Bears could re-energize him.
Going after Robison would be as natural as it gets.
The Bears’ offense could use a young quarterback to groom. Luke Falk seems ideal for the role.
There were rumblings going around that Luke Falk was on the bubble to make the Tennesee Titans‘ 53-man roster. The fact that Falk was released is a mild surprise given the possibility that another team would claim him or sign him to their practice squad. The Bears would be wise to try and do the latter.
It is a tad bit too early to write Falk off as a future NFL starter, however, he does possess the ability to make a solid backup.
Tyler Bray failed in his attempt to beat out Chase Daniel as the Bears’ backup quarterback. He is not eligible for the Bears’ practice squad. The 24-year-old Falk would be a good candidate if the Bears choose to go that route. Having a backup quarterback who knows the system is vital given how quickly injuries can happen in the NFL.
Giving Falk a chance to come in and learn the offense on the practice would help the Bears going forward.
NFL contracts are rising, as evidenced by how much the Bears paid Mack. Backup quarterbacks also cost a premium. Daniel is set to make $5 million a season for the next two seasons.
That is passable for the moment, but the Bears will have to cut costs at some point. Grooming a quarterback to serve as the eventual backup constitutes as a wise investment.
Running back is not a serious need for the Bears, but it would not hurt to have a second proven ball-carrier.
The Bears do not need Mike Gillislee, but they could use him. If the Bears are truly looking to compete for a playoff spot and advance this season having a versatile running back would not be a bad idea.
This is not a slight to Jordan Howard, Tarik Cohen, or any of the other Bears’ ball-carriers. Having someone such Gillislee around would only make that unit better. Gillislee would also give the Bears some depth at running back.
With all of the good feelings surrounding the Bears heading into the season, a long-term injury to Howard is something that would derail their playoff hopes.
Cohen, because of his stature is not viewed as an every-down back. He will be a major factor in the Bears’ passing game, however. Benny Cunningham is also not an ideal lead back. Bringing Gillislee eases any concerns and sets the Bears up just in case the worst takes place.
Gillislee finds himself out of a job after the New England Patriots cut him just a year after signing him to a contract last offseason. He never seemed to be a good fit for the Patriots and the offense they run.
There is a good chance that the San Francisco 49ers will take a look at Gillislee after receiving the news that Jerick McKinnon has been lost for the season with a torn ACL. If the Bears view Gillislee as a fit they will have to act fast.
There are several other new free agents who make sense for the Bears, however, adding at least one of the five players mentioned would be a wise move.