The Bears were aggressive early in free agency, solidifying the inside linebacker position, getting a starter at defensive end, and adding depth at a few other positions. They have made a few minor additions over the last few weeks, adding depth on the offensive line, defensive backfield, and on special teams.
Despite all the Bears moves in free agency, they still have a couple of significant holes. The two most glaring needs in the starting lineup are at defensive end, where the Bears are looking at starting either Mitch Unrein or Ego Ferguson, and one of the safety positions, where veteran Antrel Rolle is currently penciled in to start.
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Unfortunately there aren’t any starting caliber defensive ends still available in free agency, but thanks to the Cleveland Browns annual rebuild there is a safety on the market who could be an upgrade over Rolle and has experience playing for Bears DC Vic Fangio.
The Browns released three-time Pro Bowl safety (2012-2014) Donte Whitner over the weekend, in a move that was surprising due to how late in free agency it happened. Whitner just signed with the Browns before the 2014 season for 4-years / $28 million, but they cut him half-way through his deal despite a Pro Bowl season for Cleveland in 2014. It’s still unclear why they waited almost a month after cutting other high priced veterans like Karlos Dansby, but it could benefit the Bears as they have the 5th most cap space available in the league and most teams have their starting safeties set by now.
Whitner was an integral part of the 49ers defense under Fangio when it was one of the best units in the league and is only a season removed from his last Pro Bowl appearance (2014). He was a force in the middle of the Niners defense, an in-the-box safety who was an impact run defender and an intimidating presence to receivers who dared to cross the middle. At 30 years old Whitner isn’t the player he was with the Niners, but he may be a significant upgrade over Antrel Rolle.
Both players where free agents recently and Rolle got roughly $3.75M per season, while Whitner got almost twice that ($7M) which should give you an idea of the discrepancy in talent level. Whitner has lost some range since his Pro Bowl days, which was exposed by some of the younger, faster receivers in the league last season, but he can still hit. I don’t remember Rolle making many (any?) hits or impact plays last season.
At this point in his career Whitner may be a one dimensional run-stopper / enforcer, but that is one more dimension than Rolle brings to the table. Whitner’s price tag will most likely be similar to what the Bears paid for Rolle last year and maybe even less considering that the Browns still owe Whitner $4.5M in dead cap money. Signing Whitner would make Rolle redundant and a likely cap casualty which would free up $5M over the next two seasons which should almost cancel out what Whitner would cost.
Next: Whitner or Rolle?