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5 Pending Free Agents Bears Should Let Walk This Offseason

If the Chicago Bears want to experience better results during the 2024 NFL campaign, they must let these five pending free agents walk this offseason.

By Devon Platana

DE Yannick Ngakoue is one of five free agents whom the Bears should let walk this offseason.
DE Yannick Ngakoue is one of five free agents whom the Bears should let walk this offseason. / Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
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4. Lucas Patrick, C

Lucas Patrick's tenure in Chicago has been forgettable, to say the least. After joining the team on a two-year contract back in 2022, the former Duke blocker's campaign was interrupted by a season-ending toe injury that limited him to just seven games. Nevertheless, he was expected to make a full recovery, leaving fans hoping for a bounce-back showcase in 2023.

Although the Brentwood, TN native ended up playing in 16 games this season, I wouldn't say he bounced back. Patrick was awful for the most part, allowing a whopping 28 pressures on 562 pass-block snaps while leading the NFL with 11 penalties taken.

The 30-year-old was given a PFF offensive grade of 50.5, placing him as the 30th-ranked center out of 36. Adding salt to the wound, his 40.6 pass-block grade was also the fifth-worst at his position and fourth-worst among all offensive linemen who played at least 250 pass-block snaps.

At this point in his career, it's clear that Patrick is who he is and he likely won't get any better. If the Bears want to protect their franchise QB — whether that's Fields or someone drafted this April — cutting ties with the former Blue Devil is in Chicago's best interest.

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