Chicago Bears: Top 3 free agent offensive tackle targets for the team

The Chicago Bears have ample cap room, and far more than any other team in the NFL now that the 2023 salary cap is set.

General manager Ryan Poles has committed to Justin Fields as his franchise quarterback; at least that’s what reports have stated, and now it’s all about building around him.

The very first thing the Bears need to do is worry about how they’re going to protect Fields. Sure, he needs weapons. But, he can’t get them the ball if he’s still running for his life.

So, when it comes to this year’s free agent crop of offensive tackles, the Bears have tons of options, and they’re good ones. Let’s look at the who should be the Bears’ top three targets at offensive tackle, starting with the most prominent one.

Top free agent offense tackles for the Chicago Bears: Orlando Brown Jr., Chiefs

If the Bears want the best pass-blocking offensive tackle on the free agent market this year, then Orlando Brown Jr. is their man. Brown does have an interesting connection to Ryan Poles, too, who was with the Chiefs back when Kansas City traded for him in 2021.

Brown is just 26 years old right now, and should end up getting maybe the biggest contract of any offensive lineman this offseason, in terms of annual average.

He’s set to play in a Super Bowl, protecting already one of the greatest quarterbacks this league has ever seen. He’s played in a smart, crafty offense led by one of the best to ever do it in Andy Reid. The Chiefs will have to pay up to get him to stay, but will the Bears be able to out-do an offer from Kansas City?