Ranking 5 best free agent centers Chicago Bears should sign
3. Could Chicago Bears sign Ryan Jensen?
Projected Contract Per PFF: 3years, $39M, $13M per year
Remember, this is not a list of the best centers, but the best fits at center. Ryan Jensen could be a good fit, but when you see his salary compared to some of the other names on the list, it at least complicates the discussion.
To start Jensen will play the 2022 season at age 31. It is one thing to spend big on a free agent center, but at 31, you are starting to wonder if you can get all of the payoffs. The scheme is not. best either. From Baltimore to Tampa Bay he has spent most of his time in a man blocking scheme.
Last season, just 23% of his blocking snaps were in zone, which is what the Bears will primarily do. Beyond that, he was with the Ravens when they had Joe Flacco, and the Buccaneers when they had Tom Brady. He is not the player that has spent his career with a player who extends the pocket.
On the contrary, he plays with quarterbacks who get the ball out and stay in one spot when they are in the pocket. Jensen thrives in knowing where his quarterback will be in the pocket, and that is not what Justin Fields brings. He gets out of the pocket often.
When you add in that he is 31, that the scheme is not great, and that he is not used to the style of quarterback that the Chicago bears have, he is harder to sell than Chicago than some fans wish.