Free Agents the Chicago Bears can target from the other division champions
Buffalo Bills – Shaq Lawson, DE
A former top 20 NFL Draft pick, Shaq Lawson is a slightly undersized pass rusher who has accumulated 25 sacks throughout his career. Lawson is buried on a deep Bills’ defensive line, and with no sacks in 2022, the Bears could pick him up off a down year. He may not be the franchise edge rusher this team is looking for, but Lawson is a productive veteran when on the field and could be a nice addition to Chicago’s defense.
San Francisco 49ers – Mike McGlinchey, OT
One of the best true right tackles in the NFL, Mike McGlinchey has been a consistent starter out of Notre Dame. At 6’8″, McGlinchey has the length and agility to protect the edge and halt pass rushers, as well as the physicality to be disruptive in the run game. A former top 10 pick, McGlinchey has been a part of many dominant offensive lines, dating back to his time with Quenton Nelson in college.
Cincinnati Bengals – Vonn Bell, S
A free agency acquisition by the Bengals in 2020, Vonn Bell is a unique and versatile safety who can play over the top, in the slot, or over a bigger-bodied tight end. At 28 years old, Bell has many years ahead of him and could mesh well with the current secondary as either a third safety, a slot back, or even an in-the-box player to add a better coverage player in the front seven.
Minnesota Vikings – Garrett Bradbury, C
The anchor of the Vikings’ offensive line, Garrett Bradbury has been a starter since being drafted in 2019. One of the best young centers in the NFL, the Bears could potentially offer a large enough contract to pull him away from a division rival. A more athletic center, Bradbury would be an excellent fit in the Bears’ offense as he should perform well in the outside zone schemes that the Bears currently run and the Vikings started to run this past season.
Jacksonville Jaguars – Jawaan Taylor, OT
A career right tackle, Jawaan Taylor is a large, physical presence on the outside of any offensive line, and he could go from protecting Trevor Lawrence to Justin Fields this offseason. Taylor is a dominant run blocker with strong hands and feet and is quick and agile enough to stall most edge rushers.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Lavonte David, LB
One of the best linebackers in the NFL over the past decade, Lavonte David has played recently in Tampa Bay’s 3-4 defense, but gained notoriety as a strong side linebacker in the 4-3. Soon to turn 33, David may be past his prime, but his numbers have failed to fall off in recent years. The Buccaneers may let David walk in hopes of kicking off their own rebuild of sorts, and if possible, a shorter-term deal would be a perfect move to not only bolster the linebacker corps but also add a veteran leader to help the defense as a whole.