Chicago Bears 5 biggest needs following first wave of free agency

Following the first wave of free agency, the Chicago Bears have seemed to get worse. They did add some nice talent, but they have seemed to downgrade at other positions too. A lot of fans are very disappointed, but it is only the first wave.

Significant Additions:

• Allen Robinson, WR — signed franchise tag
• Andy Dalton, QB
• Germain Ifedi, OL
• Mario Edwards, DL
• Desmond Trufant, CB
• Cairo Santos, K
• Pat O’Donnell, P

Significant Losses:

• Kyle Fuller, CB
• Mitch Trubisky, QB
• Roy Roberston-Harris, DL
• Bobby Massie, RT
• Buster Skrine, CB

The Bears essentially replaced everything they lost, but most were downgrades. Germain Ifedi to Bobby Massie is essentially a lateral move. Andy Dalton to Mitch Trubisky is a slight upgrade. Regardless, the Bears don’t have much to brag about here.

Offensive Tackle is a huge need for the Chicago Bears

The Bears cannot go into 2021 with both Charles Leno and Germain Ifedi as the starting offensive tackles. Leno is very average and Ifedi is below average. There obviously is time for the Bears to improve the positional group, but right now, protecting the quarterback from offensive tackle is a major concern. The Bears need to replace Massie badly.

I do think the Bears are playing it smart here though. There are still some high-end offensive tackles available in free agency and the Bears are basically waiting for someone to cut their losses and take a discount. It is worrisome right now, but it seems like the Bears know what they are doing here, for once. Here are some guys they can target in free agency or the draft to play offensive tackle:

Draft:

• Alijah Vera-Tucker, USC
• Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech
• Liam Eichenberg, Notre Dame
• Teven Jenkins, Oklahoma State
• Dillon Radunz, North Dakota State

Free Agency:

• Russell Okung, Carolina Panthers
• Eric Fisher, Kansas City Chiefs
• Alejandro Villanueva, Pittsburgh Steelers
• Ricky Wagner, Green Bay Packers
• Dennis Kelly, Tennessee Titans

If the Bears took a discount on say Ricky Wagner nabbing him on a cheap deal and brought in a second-round rookie like Dillon Radunz, the Bears would have tackled offensive tackle to near perfection. Wagner is solid as a starter who just struggles with injuries and a second-round pick may be able to beat him out or could immediately start and make Charles Leno expendable.