Chicago Bears: Underrated defensive free agents to sign

3. LB Nick Vigil

Nick Vigil is an interesting case study as he prepares to hit free agency. Entering his sixth season in 2021, Vigil has provided some solid play for the Los Angeles Chargers and Cincinnati Bengals. Playing in 15 games in 2020, Vigil had 50 tackles, two sacks, and three tackles for loss.

However, the year prior, starting for the Bengals, Vigil had 111 tackles, four quarterback hits, and one sack in 16 starts. Why the dropoff in production from 2019 to 2020? Because when Vigil signed with the Chargers, he ended up being a second-string middle linebacker.

Now, looking ahead to 2021, Vigil either resigns with the Chargers or he ends up hitting free agency where he isn’t likely to sign a big contract. He’s been a starter in the past and has served as a rotational player as well. If he ends up on the Bears, he won’t be starting but can provide some solid play as a rotational linebacker.

When it comes to looking at a potential contract for Vigil, he signed a one-year deal with the Chargers in 2020 that was worth three million dollars. Chicago could likely end up signing him for a very similar price tag which would be bringing in someone who’s a low-risk, high-reward depth piece that can step up and start if needed.