Chicago Bears: 3 free agents who would instantly improve the roster
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Chicago Bears Free Agent Targets: Notable Mentions
Before anyone says they should sign Mitchell Schwartz, that is just not going to happen. Schwartz criticized his former offensive coordinator, now head coach of the Chicago Bears, Matt Nagy. Not to mention, it does not sound like Schwartz is fully healed yet which is somewhat scary considering he had back surgery in February. Hopefully, the injury and surgery is different than what Teven Jenkins is dealing with right now.
It was a pleasure to have @MitchSchwartz71 on the podcast this week. Of course, we had to ask him about his future in the NFL. pic.twitter.com/6DOsc9PmIz
— Patrick Allen (@RPatrickAllen) September 4, 2021
Russell Okung, OT
I have been pounding the table for Russell Okung to be added to this roster. He was the guy I wanted, way before they signed Jason Peters. Okung will be 33 this season but has had a solid career. He has had two Pro Bowl seasons (one for Seattle and one for the Chargers) throughout his career and has been very stable. If Peters cannot play at an NFL level at his age, then Okung would be the guy to replace him in my opinion. Just offer him cryptocurrency and call it a day.
David DeCastro, OG
This move is risky as David DeCastro is not healthy yet and may still decide to retire after a third ankle surgery. However, adding him now, knowing that he will be a huge upgrade to the offensive line later would be a wise move.
This move would be similar to adding Rick Wagner. The Chicago Bears would need to kick James Daniels or Cody Whitehair over to center and give DeCastro the right guard spot where he’s been a Pro Bowler the last six seasons and an All-Pro in 2015 and 2017.
5 Bears still at risk of being cut. dark. Next
E.J. Gaines, CB
Clearly, the Chicago Bears disagree with this one since they had E.J. Gaines in for a tryout back in June and clearly did not sign him. Ryan Pace seemed to be in on Bashaud Breeland and Steven Nelson but watched both sign elsewhere. The confidence in the current cornerbacks is crazy to me and I’d bring Gaines back for another look if I were Pace.
Gaines has been out of football since 2018 after suffering an abdominal injury. However, prior to that, he was a legit corner who, if he can return to prior form, would be an upgrade over multiple players on the current roster. I am especially looking at you, Duke Shelley.