4 free agents the Chicago Bears could sign before mandatory minicamp

The Chicago Bears could sign linebacker Joe Schobert

First up is a former Jack Lambert Trophy winner, as the nation’s best linebacker in 2015. Joe Schobert is just 28 years old and still has plenty of football left in him — and it could be with the Bears.

Outside linebacker is an interesting spot for Chicago, as they could play Nicholas Morrow there or in the middle. But, aside from Morrow and Roquan Smith, Chicago doesn’t have a third clear-cut starting linebacker.

Competing for that job could be a plethora of guys from Matthew Adams, to Joe Thomas, to undrafted rookie and fellow Wisconsin Badger Jack Sanborn. If the Bears brought in Schobert, the job would be his from the start. At that point, the team could feel very good about their starting defense going forward as outside linebacker is the only real question mark right now.

For five straight seasons, Schobert has tallied over 100 tackles and has come up with at least one interception. His experience and ability to drop back in coverage would bring the Bears defense up a notch, no doubt.