The first week of the 2015 NFL season is over and it has been pretty crazy with record setting free agency deals, more Pro Bowl players traded than I’ve ever seen before in an offseason, and most of the top free agents already off the board.
The Bears have made a few moves, though way less than most teams with $30 million plus in cap room like the Bears. New Bears GM Ryan Pace is taking a cautous, measured approach to free agency so far. In the short-term the Bears are missing out on the best players in free agency, but over the next few months when veteran players with high cap numbers are getting cut, the Bears will have more money than just about any team in the league to snatch up experienced vets who were recently good enough to deserve big contracts.
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The Bears haven’t been completely silent during free agency with three quality signings in OLB Pernell McPhee, S Antrel Rolle, and WR Eddie Royal, a couple of minor ones (G Ducasse, LS Gafford), and rumors that they are in the mix for a couple more players (Foster, Satele). Click the individual player links for a detailed breakdown, but this post is focused on remaining free agents who the Bears could be targeting.
All of the contract specifics have yet to be released so we don’t know exactly how much cap space the Bears have left, but Bears cap guru Cliff Stein is a wizard so I am predicting that the money will be there if there is mutual interest between the Bears and their target players.
I will be breaking down free agents options by position that I think would be good fits for the Bears in 2015 and beyond. Obviously they can’t sign all of these players, but the Bears should have enough cap room to potentially sign a few more players as contract demands drop significantly over the next few weeks.
Best Remaining: D-Line | O-Line | Skill Players | Defensive Backs | Linebackers
Offensive Line – Free Agents
Center
In former GM Phil Emery’s last move with the Bears organization he signed 35-year-old Roberto Garza to a 1-year contract extension. Thanks Phil! The Bears need an upgrade at center more than at any other position on the O-line. It’s possible they could bring back free agent C Brian de la Puente who was very solid at the position last season (8.2 grade in 5 starts).
C Stefen Wisniewski, Raiders (26 | 6’3 | 313): Has started at center since the first game of his rookie year in 2011. Wisniewski has been an above-average center for most of his career before a slight dip in production late last season while playing through a few minor injuries. The Raiders have made multiple attempts to bring Wisniewski back, but he seems determined to leave Oakland and it’s hard to blame him. He is an intelligent, cerebral center who is a team leader both on and off the field. The Bears could use some leadership in both places and Wisniewski is also a solid technician at center with great instincts and a natural understanding of angles and leverage. He lacks the power to drive defenders off the line of scrimmage but makes up for it with smarts and skill. Wisniewski is also very mobile with the ability to pull and trap effectively. He’s not a great fit for a straight power scheme, but his leadership, ability to read defenses, and perhaps being able to help Jay Cutler make the right play calls at the line of scrimmage could have much more value than the $4 million per year that Wisniewski is reportedly asking for. Unfortunately the Seahawks are making a hard push for Wisniewski and I can’t imagine he’s rather play for the Bears.
C Chris Myers, Texans (34 | 6’5 | 300) – Over the last three years Myers has graded 6th, 7th, and 16th among all NFL centers. Myers made $8M last season which is why the Texans released him, but he has been one of the best run blocking centers in the NFL over the last few seasons. An $8M salary is extravagant for even the best NFL center, but for a Texans team with cap restrictions keeping Myers was never even an option. Despite his advanced age and slightly declining play, Myers would be a big upgrade over Garza, de la Puente and most other free agent centers available (except Wisniewski).
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
C Samson Satele, Dolphins (30 | 6’2 | 300) – The Bears are rumored to have brought in Satele for a visit last week. Satele was rated as the 31st out of 32 starting centers last year according to PFF. Despite Satele’s low overall grade, he had a positive 3.7 run blocking grade which was 18th in the NFL out of 32 starting centers. Satele is a former 2nd round pick who has had an up and down career during his 7 years in the league, but has been a solid run blocker every season except his first. All things being equal I would rather the Bears bring back de le Puente who played well when Garza was hurt, but it’s possible that Satele may come much cheaper.