5 Free agents remaining the Chicago Bears should target
By Joseph Herff
With the 2022 NFL Draft now coming to a close, the Chicago Bears are one step closer to the start of the 2022 NFL season. General Manager Ryan Poles and Head Coach Matt Eberflus filled a bunch of holes on the current roster in the draft, but couldn’t find starters at every position given the number of high picks they had.
Poles and Eberflus found instant impact starters at both safety, cornerback, and possibly wide receiver while adding potential starters in the offensive line and at punter. This leaves still major question marks at a few position groups that the Bears need to address before the start of the season mainly to protect their most coveted asset: Justin Fields.
The Chicago Bears should add J.C. Tretter, Center
Ryan Poles already added a new center to the roster in Lucas Patrick and drafted a center at the end of the draft in Doug Kramer. However, grabbing an eight-year NFL veteran at center would be an incredible and immediate help.
J.C. Tretter never has been selected to the Pro Bowl or the All-Pro team, but he has been a plus-starter at the position every year as he has earned a PFF grade of 70 or higher every year since 2015 except for 2017 in which he scored a 69.1.
Tretter has been a massive help for the offensive line of the Cleveland Browns. They have been one of the top units for the last few seasons in both run blocking and pass protection. In an effort to add Deshaun Watson and extend younger players, Tretter was a cap casualty and got released this offseason.
If Tretter is added, the Bears can kick Patrick to right guard as he has the flexibility to play both. This would solidify the interior for this season with Cody Whitehair, Patrick, and Tretter all being plus-starters at their positions to help protect Fields.