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Chicago Bears Free Agency Preview Part II: 2017 Defensive Free Agents

By Bryan Dietzler

Nov 13, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Chicago Bears defensive end Cornelius Washington (90) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The Buccaneers won 36-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Chicago Bears defensive end Cornelius Washington (90) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. The Buccaneers won 36-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 20, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants running back Rashad Jennings (23) is unable to control a pass as Chicago Bears cornerback Demontre Hurst (30) defends during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants running back Rashad Jennings (23) is unable to control a pass as Chicago Bears cornerback Demontre Hurst (30) defends during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /

The Bears have a few players in the secondary that they will be looking either re-signing or letting go this off-season.  None of these guys are starters so there won’t be any shakeups at any of the four starting spots.  But, what the team decides to here will affect key depth for next year.  The decisions they make here will be important for decisions they make in the draft and acquiring other free agents during the off-season.

Jonathan Banks has not been with the team long.  The Bears may want to get a look at him in-game action at some point during the next couple of weeks but if they don’t, they could look at him this off-season and into the pre-season.  They don’t have much to lose and he is a talented player.  They need to see what they signed.

Safety Chris Prosinksi signed a one-year contract in March and is approaching the end of that deal.  Prosinksi is an interesting case.  He can start and he can play special teams.  This year he played in 14 games with one start so he saw some action.  But Prosinksi, like several other safeties on this team, is not an ideal starter.  He’s a nice backup who can start a game or two and help you on special teams but he’s not a 16-game starter.

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Brandon Boykin has spent the entire season on injured reserve with a torn pectoral muscle.  He has had some productive time in the NFL (almost exclusively with the Philadelphia Eagles) and still has a lot left to offer.  If he is fully healed, the Bears should give him a shot at providing some depth next year.  He does have enough talent that he just might be able to crack the starting lineup.

Demontre Hurst will be a restricted free agent this off-season leaving the Bears with a decision to make.  Hurst has value as a depth player and can step in and start.  This season, Hurst played in eight games with one start.  His “shining” moment this season came when he intercepted Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford in Week 14.  He also had a productive game against Green Bay last week.

So, what should the Bears do these four players?  Banks should be brought back to see what they have in him. There is talent there and it should be evaluated further.  Boykin has promise and could be worth another look in training camp.  Hurst is a solid talent and should be retained at the right price.

Prosinksi is a solid special teamer but is not a reliable starter.  The Bears don’t have a lot of options at the safety position but may want to find some other guys and give them a shot.  Prosinksi needs to find a new team in 2017.

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