4 free agents who would solve the Chicago Bears problem at center
Chicago Bears Free Agent Target: Bradley Bozeman, C – Ravens
The problem with all four of these potential free agents is that they all could potentially be re-signed by their current teams. The Buccanneers are in a weird spot with Tom Brady retiring but could use some of the salary cap space saved from not having to pay Brady to pay some of their free agents. The Rams might struggle to find cap space for Brian Allen as the team is currently $13 million over the salary cap, but it’s still possible with cuts and restructures. The Patriots have just over $7 million to work with currently and could make more room to sign Ted Karras.
The point is, there is no guarantee any of the four become available. However, if any of them do, I’d expect Ryan Poles to be highly interested in signing one of them. Bradley Bozeman of the Baltimore Ravens is no different. The Ravens have nearly $10 million in cap space currently for the 2022 NFL season, but making cuts and restructures can clear even more space for their 2018, sixth-round draft pick.
Bozeman is also coming off his best season according to PFF. He finished the 2021 season with a PFF grade of 73.3. Last year, he finished with a grade of 64.3, and in his first season as the Ravens starting center (2019), he graded out at 63.4. One thing I loved about watching Bozeman play is that he never just stands in space. How often do we see Sam Mustipher just standing looking for a guy to hit? Bozeman looks for a body and hits him if there isn’t someone directly in front of him to square upon.
I know that upgrading the center position is a must for Ryan Poles. I also know that it shouldn’t be hard to upgrade after what we saw from Sam Mustipher last season. Mustipher will be fine as a developmental backup who should remain on the roster, but whether it is through free agency or the 2022 NFL Draft, Ryan Poles must look to improve the offensive line and I believe that starts right in the middle.