The Chicago Bears need some help in the secondary. They'll try to do everything in their power to retain Kevin Byard III, but there are no guarantees that they won't lose Nahshon Wright in free agency. Even if they keep both of them, they can still use some depth.
Fortunately for them, an NFC East woe might give them just what they need. According to senior reporter Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports, the Washington Commanders intend to release veteran CB Marshon Lattimore. As such, he might be another intriguing option for GM Ryan Poles' wishlist.
The Bears Might Want to Take a Look at Marshon Lattimore
"The Commanders are currently expected to release cornerback Marshon Lattimore," Zenitz wrote on social media. "The former first-round pick made nine starts for Washington this past season."
Lattimore struggled to stay on the field in his two years in the nation's capital. He logged just one interception last season, and his Pro Football Focus grade of 52.1 ranked 96th among 114 eligible cornerbacks. He gave up 18 catches, 14.3 yards per catch, and a passer rating of 87.7, so his best years are clearly behind him.
Of course, it's hard to believe Lattimore is going to be much better or healthier now that he's about to turn 30. That said, he's more than familiar with Dennis Allen's defensive system from their years together with the New Orleans Saints. So, at the very least, there should be a level of comfort there for both sides.
The Bears don't need Lattimore to be the All-Pro-caliber shutdown cornerback he was in his heyday. Even at this point in his career, he might give them more than the banged-up Jaylon Johnson -- a potential cut candidate -- or the inconsistent Tyrique Stevenson, who only has one year left on his rookie deal.
The Bears' offense is firing on all cylinders, and they have all the weapons they need to stay at the top. In fact, one may argue that they even have a surplus of talent, and guys like D'Andre Swift and DJ Moore might be valuable trade chips.
The defense, on the other hand, is a different story. They gave up 24.4 points (23rd in the league) and 227.2 passing yards (22nd) per game. Dennis Allen will be on the hot seat if he doesn't turn that around, and bringing in a familiar face might help speed things up. Likewise, the Bears might give Lattimore one final shot at redemption before he rides into the sunset.