Chicago Bears: Potential free agent adds from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Running back Peyton Barber

There have been all kinds of rumors about the Bears trying to trade running back Jordan Howard. The team reportedly drew interest from several franchises about Howard, but he’s not expected to bring in much of a return.

If the Bears do trade Howard, it will leave a hole to fill at running back. Howard was often the odd man out in coach Matt Nagy’s dynamic offense.

Howard was a bell-cow running back under former coach John Fox, but those days are over. Nagy couldn’t really figure out the best way to use Howard. He may just not be a team fit anymore.

Buccaneers running back Peyton Barber was the team’s starting running back last season and is due for a pay raise after earning the league-minimum salary. However, he’s a restricted free agent which complicates things.

The Buccaneers could place what’s called a tender on Barber that would cost the team extra money but would ensure that the team who signed Barber to an offer sheet would have to give the Bucs a draft pick as compensation.

The more money the team uses as a tender for Barber, the higher the draft pick required if you want to sign him. That could prevent the Bears from even pursuing Barber.

If all else fails, Buccaneers veteran pass-catching running back Jacquizz Rodgers is an unrestricted free agent. He could be a last resort as a replacement for Howard.

It will be interesting to see how the offseason plays out when free agency starts on Wednesday, March 13th. Keep checking Da Windy City for more free agency updates.