The Chicago Bears land a top offensive tackle in mock offseason moves
The Chicago Bears should sign these or similar, free agents in 2022
Well, this side of the ball won’t be as fun for free agency. However, don’t forget that the three highest-paid players on the roster are all on defense. Khalil Mack is going to count for $30 million against the cap next year. That is a lot, but when healthy, he’s worth it. He was on pace for 15 sacks this season with six in the first seven weeks. Not to mention, he played through his injury through a few of those games.
Robert Quinn comes in at number two in regards to the salary cap. He accounts for $17.1 million against the cap. Then Eddie Jackson is third with just over $15 million against the cap. That’s $60 million dollars between the three of them. This also means that these three need to play better in 2022 than they have been because there will be fewer top talented players standing on the field next to them.
This defense still has a very solid core of players though. Those three, plus Jaylon Johnson as the CB1 and Roquan Smith as an All-Pro middle linebacker make this defense very formidable. Eddie Goldman will still be on the front line and don’t forget I am bringing back Bilal Nichols. Mario Edwards and rookie Khyiris Tonga are worth noting on that defensive line as well.
I’m not very high on Kindle Vildor, but he is also going to be on the roster with a full year of starting cornerback play under his belt. The hope here is that he continues to develop and grow into a corner worth starting opposite of Johnson. That said, I think I know where the team needs to spend some free agent money in 2022.
Bears should sign one of these free agent corners to a 2-year / $12 million contract
- Steven Nelson, CB
- Bashaud Breeland, CB
- Justin Coleman, CB
None of these guys are great. In fact, Coleman isn’t even a starter and honestly wouldn’t cost the $12 million over two years as I laid out here. Both Nelson and Breeland are players I wanted the Bears to sign this offseason. Nelson is in Philadelphia and actually having his worst season. Breeland is with the Vikings and playing about average for a starting corner. One of these three being signed can help push Vildor or take over for him. I am also assuming the younger, better corners will be extended or cost too much for Chicago.
After looking into the free agent safeties, I am starting to think that drafting one early might be a requirement for this team. Otherwise, they better look to bring back Tashaun Gipson or someone along that line of talent. There aren’t many splash plays to make here unless maybe Quandre Diggs isn’t resigned in Seattle.
If Diggs hits the open market, he’d be my top recruiting effort on the defensive side of the ball. He’s already 28, but I’d offer him a three-year deal anyway. He’s on the last year of a three-year $18.5 million dollar contract. If he walks, I’d offer him a three-year, $25 million dollar contract and this would be my only big signing on the defense as the salary cap would be getting very low at this point and I’d to roll some extra over into 2023.