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Chicago Bears Free Agent Review: The Top Free Agent Signing

By Bryan Dietzler

Dec 18, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans strong safety Quintin Demps (27) reacts in front of Jacksonville Jaguars center Brandon Linder (65) after making an interception during the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans strong safety Quintin Demps (27) reacts in front of Jacksonville Jaguars center Brandon Linder (65) after making an interception during the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Chicago Bears did not make a huge splash in free agency by any means.  But of the players they did sign, which one was the best overall?

People expected the Bears to spend a lot of money in free agency this off season.  Chicago had a lot of cash to spend and a lot of needs.  There were some great guys out there and the Bears could have had their pick of any of them.  Cornerbacks Stephon Gilmore and A.J. Bouye would have done wonders for their secondary. They could have kept Alshon Jeffery, possibly on another one-year deal.

They could have done almost anything they wanted.

But the Bears decided to go a different route.  Instead of bringing in one or two big name guys, they brought in a few players who could provide some potential as starters and add some depth.  But none of them were big-named, high impact signings.  Most of them had names many didn’t recognize.

You had Markus Wheaton who has been in the league for four years and has just eight touchdowns and a little over 1,500 yards as a wide receiver.  Cornerback Prince Amukamara has played six seasons in the league and has played in all 16 games (within a season) just once.  The Bears’ new starting quarterback, Mike Glennon, has just 18 starts over his career.

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While the stats might seem kind of scary they certainly don’t tell the whole story. There is some potential in this group.  There is hope that these guys will be able to step up and perform well enough to help dig the Bears out of the NFC North basement.  We can only pray that General Manger Ryan Pace knows what he is doing and has a plan.  Hopefully, he can soon give us something to believe in and get excited about.

But in all of this, Pace did give us a player that the Bears should be able to count on, at least for two or three seasons.  While some may balk at this, it’s almost easy to see that safety Quintin Demps was Chicago’s best free agent acquisition.  He has been in the league for ten seasons but most of his experience has been on special teams.  It wasn’t until 2013 when he became a regular starter at safety.  He has been steady ever since.

Demps has missed some time with injury in the past, like some of the other players the Bears brought in this spring, but he has a solid track record on the field.  Last year, he had six interceptions for the Houston Texans and provided stability in their defensive backfield.  That’s what he will bring to the Bears and that’s what they need at the safety position.  Stability, experience and production.

If Demps can continue from his performance in 2016 then the Bears will have done well by signing him.

Having Demps in the lineup could help pave the way for a rookie to come in and take over at some point.  The Bears could use him as a “stop-gap” type of player to fill a void while a rookie develops at safety. He could then slide over and start beside a solid rookie.  Sure, the Bears drafting a safety may be wishful thinking but this move could signify some sort of future move by the Bears in the draft.

If Chicago decides not to draft a safety, then it’s likely Demps will start alongside Adrian Amos. Amos, although not a huge playmaker, has been a steady force for the Bears over his first two seasons with the them.  He has been reliable but isn’t going to make a huge impact like some other guys (Eric Berry) will.  Serviceable but not spectacular are the words for Amos.

Providing Demps can stay healthy, the Bears should see some improvement at the safety position in 2017.  Sure, he is 31 years old and has been in the league since 2008 but he’s still going strong and can help the defense with his experience and leadership.

But some have likened Demps to a previous “big mistake” the Bears recently made at safety, Antrel Rolle.  Rolle was not even a one-year wonder.  He couldn’t finish the season due to injuries then found his way out of Chicago after just one not even full season.  We don’t want a repeat of that.  Demps should be better than that.  We hope.

Nov 13, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back T.J. Yeldon (24) is tackled by Houston Texans strong safety Quintin Demps (27) during the second quarter of a football game at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back T.J. Yeldon (24) is tackled by Houston Texans strong safety Quintin Demps (27) during the second quarter of a football game at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Bears fans are hoping that Demps can help stabilize what has been one of the worst positions on the team since the popular and talented Mike Brown left the team.  Almost anything is better than what they have had over the last few years.  They can’t get any worse, right?

So, at least right now if you had to pick, Demps just might be the best free agent the Bears have signed.  If he can help put some “oomph” back in the safety position, then the it will have done some good.  If he lands on the injured list and can’t finish the season, it will be another free agent failure for Pace and the Bears.

Let’s hope for the former is the case and not the latter.

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