The Chicago Bears must consider these three free agent offensive linemen
By Ryan Heckman
The Chicago Bears should target Andrew Norwell in free agency
Four years ago, one of the top targets in Bears fans’ minds was Andrew Norwell, a standout guard coming from the Carolina Panthers. Instead, Norwell signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. After becoming an All-Pro in 2017, Norwell fell more under the radar in Jacksonville and has failed to make a Pro Bowl in four seasons with the Jags.
Last year, Norwell graded out fine if you ask Pro Football Focus (PFF). His 66.7 grade for 2021 is not excellent, but not a bad grade by any means. If we’re looking at recent success for a reason to sign Norwell, he did only give up three sacks last year after playing 1,078 offensive snaps. That’s not too shabby.
If we’re looking at alternatives, or maybe looking for a recency bias, we could say Norwell would be a heck of a lot better than someone like James Daniels, Germain Ifedi or Sam Mustipher. Norwell does have a history of being a very good pass blocker. He was actually the top-rated pass-blocking guard back in 2017, per PFF.
After signing a massive contract in Jacksonville, Norwell is in line for a more modest contract this spring. The Bears should definitely look his way as their next potential starting guard.