5 unsigned, second wave free agents the Chicago Bears could pursue

The Chicago Bears could sign free agent safety Keanu Neal

After five seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, Keanu Neal switched positions and played linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys. Now a free agent after the Cowboys have (so far) chosen to let him go, he’s looking for a new team and also looking to switch back to playing safety.

Neal came into the league as a safety, and was drafted with first-round capital in Atlanta. He made a Pro Bowl while in Atlanta and, thereafter, experienced a couple of injury-ridden seasons. But, the past two years, Neal has been able to appear in 29 of 33 games.

At just 26 years old, Neal could have plenty of football left in him. It feels like he’s been around longer, but that’s likely because he was a forgotten man for two seasons in a row, having dealt with major injuries.

The Bears need a safety next to Eddie Jackson, and if Neal is ready to convert back, why not give him a shot on a cheap deal? Maybe the Bears give him a contract that incentivizes Neal to play great this first year, with a larger, non-guaranteed salary for the 2023 season. He could solve a problem the Bears have had for a few years now, as they’ve plugged in a couple of different veterans here and there next to Jackson since losing Adrian Amos.