Chicago Bears: Free agents still available before 2019 NFL Draft
By Ryan Heckman
Defensive End Timmy Jernigan
You may as well title this piece, “Mostly banged-up free agents who could come at a bargain.” Hey, at this stage in the game, that’s what you’re looking at in the free agent pool.
Former Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Timmy Jernigan continues to look for a new team after a year which saw him play just three games due to a back injury.
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It is unlikely, at this point, that Jernigan returns to the Eagles who boast both Fletcher Cox and Malik Jackson, and also re-signed Brandon Graham while bringing back Vinny Curry.
Jernigan, like many other free agents still waiting for deals, could end up signing a 1-year “prove-it” contract — something Pace has been known to give out a time or two. He has been, historically, one of the better run defenders at the end position in all of football.
To have him as a backup, on a defense which was already so good against the run, may end up being somewhat of an embarrassment of riches. That is, of course, assuming he can remain healthy in 2019. It wasn’t long ago Jernigan was a second-round pick out of Florida State, looking to make a big impact as a premier draft prospect.
Maybe, just maybe, with the group of guys surrounding him in Chicago, Jernigan could revitalize his career a bit.