Should the Chicago Bears attempt to re-sign Roy Robertson-Harris
After being placed on the injured reserve with a shoulder injury, the Chicago Bears have a tough decision to make with Roy Robertson-Harris. RRH was a free agent last season but was restricted, so the Chicago Bears placed a tender on him, keeping him for one more season.
Unfortunately, his season got cut short in week eight, after Robertson-Harris suffered a shoulder injury. Now, RRH is heading into free agency without the restricted tender. Should the Chicago Bears work to sign him back, or is Roy Robertson-Harris as good as gone?
Stay
His value goes unnoticed. One of the key factors to bringing him back is that he can play up and down the line. He can line up over the center or tackle and anywhere in between. This allows him to platoon with Khalil Mack, Akiem Hicks, or even a player like Eddie Goldman.
His rotational value and pass rush impact are needed. The Bears defensive line is already their strength, so making it worse will not take them far. Beyond that, we have a familiar team and environment for a player coming off of an injury to enter a market that may not be interested in him.
Go
The Chicago Bears find depth lineman-like it is nothing. Sure, Jay Rodgers gets some credit for that, but the room is always full, Nick Williams left and nothing changed. In fact, Brent Urban just stepped up and played better than Williams.
Bilal Nichols already stepped up and Eddie Goldman will be back. Yes, this is the strength of the roster. At the same time, it will be the strength with or without Roy Robertson-Harris. While his injury hurt his total pressure number, he also dropped from a 6% pressure to 4.1% last season according to PFF.
Verdict:
The Chicago Bears have needs elsewhere. His market may decrease, but he still has value and will be wanted in the NFL. The Bears can offer a low contract for a valued lineman, but they have to be prepared for Roy Robertson-Harris to sign with another roster this offseason.