One player from each playoff team who can join the Chicago Bears in 2023
By Peter Jurich
Free agents the Chicago Bears can target from the six wildcard teams
Los Angeles Chargers – Drue Tranquill, LB
One of the more underrated players on this list, Drue Tranquill finally became a full-time starter this season after three years as a reserve player. Transitioning from a 3-4 to a 4-3 might be a little bit of a learning curve, but Tranquill has the skills as a tackler and situational pass rusher to serve as an outside linebacker next to Jack Sanborn and could be a dramatic improvement in the linebacking core.
Dallas Cowboys – Leighton Vander Esch, LB
At 6’4″ and 255 lbs, Leighton Vander Esch reminds many of former Bears’ great Brian Urlacher, and while that comparison may be unfair to the young Cowboy, the physical traits are certainly similar. Vander Esch has been in the middle of Dallas’ defense since being drafted in the 2018 class, and while his fit alongside Jack Sanborn may take some time to adjust to, these two could provide two lanky, strong, and aggressive linebackers that could aid the Bears defense for years to come.
Baltimore Ravens – Marcus Peters, CB
Struck with the injury bug over the past two seasons, Marcus Peters has been an elite corner since joining the NFL, with the most interceptions across the league since his rookie season in 2015. Peters is aggressive, but plays well in both zone and man schemes, and could be a nice option opposite of Jaylon Johnson, moving Kyler Gordon to more of a slot role. The Bears would be Peters’ fourth team in ten seasons, and while he is getting a little up there in age, there is still a lot of quality play left if he can seamlessly come back from injury.
New York Giants – Saquon Barkley, RB
There is a better-than-not chance that the Giants resign the star running back as he had a resurgent year in 2022, but if for some reason Saquon Barkley hits the open market, the Bears should be first in line to sign the explosive running back. Barkley is a strong running back who exceeds inside the tackles, on the boundary, and in the passing game, and when paired with Justin Fields, would create one of if not the most dynamic backfields in all of football.
Miami Dolphins – Mike Gesicki, TE
More of a pass-catching tight end, Mike Gesicki is a player the Bears could sign to add a different dimension to their offense. Next to Kmet, Gesicki could take on more of a pass-catching role as the former Notre Dame standout serves as a more traditional tight end. Gesicki is an elite receiver with a crazy catch radius, is athletic enough to line up in the slot against an undersized defensive back, and could turn into a reliable target for Justin Fields over the middle.
Seattle Seahawks – Poona Ford, DT
Coming off a down season in 2022, Poona Ford showed that his true spot is as a defensive tackle in a 4-3, rather than the 3-4 role he was playing this season. At 5’11” and 315 lbs, Ford is a shorter defensive tackle who uses leverage to his advantage and is able to shoot gaps in the run game. With the potential to be a true game wrecker for opponents’ offensive lines, Ford is a physical presence who could succeed as a run stuffer and situational pass rusher from the interior.