Bears Re-Sign CB Callahan, TE Brown, and WR Bellamy
With NFL free agency starting this week, the Chicago Bears locked up a few of their exclusive rights free agents on Monday.
The 2017 NFL season is officially under way as of Tuesday, March 7th. Teams can now negotiate with free agents, but not sign anyone until this Thursday. With the free agency frenzy starting soon, the Bears decided to lock up a few of their exclusive rights free agents before things get crazy on Thursday.
Here is a breakdown of the players the Bears locked up for the 2017 season.
Free Agent Signings:
CB Bryce Callahan -A natural slot corner who was forced to play outside the hashes and out of position for long stretches last season. At times he was the best corner on the field for the Bears, but his own injuries limited both his quickness and play-making ability.
When 100% healthy, Callahan was arguably the Bears best cornerback last season 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 from ProFootballFocus so far in his career. 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.
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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, though none yet in two NFL seasons.
With the Bears expected to add at least a couple of corners who can play outside in free agency and the draft, Callahan should be ale to move back to his natural slot position. Combined with 2nd-year player Cre’von LeBlanc, it should give the Bears two potentially above-average options in the slot.