Bears 2017 Free Agents: Defense

Exclusive Rights Free Agents:

A player who has been on an active NFL roster for less than two full seasons and can only negotiate with their current team as long as that team offers at least a minimum qualifying offer.

With only a minimum contract offer necessary to keep the players below, they are all but locks to be back in 2017 if the Bears still want them.

CB Bryce Callahan -Arguably the Bears best cornerback in 2016 when on the field., The problem is that he’s missed 12 games in the last two seasons with a variety of minor ailments.

I’ve been a huge Callahan fan since before the Bears signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2015. He hasn’t disappointed with positive grades against both the run and the pass so far.  He’s undersized (5’10, 184) but has elite athleticism (4.,37 40-time, 43″ vertical, 11′ broad jump) and uses it to play bigger than his measurements.

Callahan makes up for his small stature with both his athleticism and an aggressive playing style. He attacks ball-carriers with abandon and has been effective snuffing out screens and passes in the flat. The problem is that his aggressiveness has lead to multiple injuries.

If healthy, Callahan can give the Bears a much needed play-making corner. He’s shown a knack for high-pointing the ball and getting his hands in receiver’s catch windows. Callahan also has above-average ball skills with 20 college interceptions.

I don’t have access to Callahan’s medicals, so have no idea what his long-term health prognosis is but I do have access to his game tape and he was the Bears best corner this year when on the field. As an ERFA, it won’t cost much at all to keep Callahan and it would make no sense to let him go unless the Bears are sure that he won’t be able to stay healthy.

Verdict: Keep him (and extend him if possible)

ILB Danny Mason – Potential special teams contributor who was signed by the Broncos back when John Fox was their coach. Fox brought Mason over to the Bears, where he’s lingered on the practice squad the last two seasons.

Mason is undersized for an inside linebacker and lacks long-term upside. The former Arena League player could be a useful special teams player but doesn’t add much (any) value on defense. The Bears should be able to do better than Mason on special teams. Preferably they can find a useful gunner who can also contribute on defense.

Verdict: Let him go