Chicago Bears Free Agency News & Rumors – Day 2
Like last year, the Bears struck quickly when NFL free agency officially opened at 4 PM (EST) on Wednesday. The Bears locked down their priority target ILB Danny Trevathan from the Super Bowl champion Broncos shortly after free agency started. He was a crucial piece for improving the Bears defense and I will discuss this and other moves after a few days of free agency are in the books. They capped off the first day of free agency with the signing of right tackle Bobbie Massey and re-signing of corner Tracy Porter.
It was a promising first day of free agency for the Bears as they added talent at three significant positions of need. Day two was a bit of a let down. The Bears still have over $30 million in cap space and there were plenty of quality free agents still available going into the second day of free agency. Unfortunately the Bears were quiet with only one minor signing and a couple of moderately exciting rumors on day 2. The worst part of the day for me was seeing a few of the highest rated players on my remaining free agent wish lists getting snagged by other teams.
I’ll break down the Bears moves today, rumors of players they may be targeting, significant signings in the division, and players I thought the Bears should target who are no longer available. My next post will be a breakdown of free agents still available that I think could help the Bears in 2016 and beyond.
Bears Day 2 Signing
CB Sherrick McManis – The long-time special teams ace was finally given a chance to play at corner back by the Bears new coaching staff after a strong preseason. Once the season started McManis was quickly exposed as sub-par corner and after a season low -3.7 game grade from the Bears week 6 loss to the Lions, he was replaced in the slot by Bryce Callahan and moved back to primarily a special teams role. McManis’ struggles at corner didn’t effect his play on coverage units as McManis quickly re-established himself as the Bears best special teams player.
McManis finished with a team leading 17 special teams tackles and earned himself a 2-year deal with the Bears reportedly at more than the veteran minimum for the first time of his career. McManis met with the Patriots today and also had an offer from the Jaguars (who doesn’t?), but the Bears quickly offered more and while not official, they reportedly gave McManis more than the $1.2M per year that Chiefs special teams ace Frank Zombo just signed for.
While McManis proved to not be a good fit in the secondary, he has been an excellent special teams player for the Bears since they traded for the Northwestern alum and 5th round pick of the Houston Texans in 2012. The Bears have also offered WR Josh Bellamy a futures deal, giving the Bears their two best special teams players back in 2016.
Next: Bears Rumors and NFC North News