5 risky free agents the Chicago Bears could pursue
By Ryan Heckman
The Chicago Bears could pursue free agent safety Jabril Peppers
A former first-round pick out of Michigan by the Cleveland Browns, safety Jabril Peppers enters his first real chance at a larger contract this spring. However, he is also coming off a torn ACL suffered last season, about halfway through the year.
The Bears will need to find another starting safety next to Eddie Jackson, and Peppers very well could come at a discounted rate because of his injury.
However, that’s not the only reason he could come at a discount. Although Peppers might still be seen as a more notable name, his performance hasn’t necessarily lived up to his first-round draft status.
Particularly in coverage, Peppers has been just plain bad for his entire career. Before getting hurt last year, he was allowing a career-worst 87 percent completion percentage to opposing quarterbacks.
Peppers might be a recognizable name, but he’s not worth pursuing in free agency as a starter. The Bears already have a guy in Jackson who has been on the downward trend as well.