Top 5 free agent targets for the Chicago Bears in 2023
By Ryan Olson
Chicago Bears Free Agent Target No. 1: Daron Payne, DT – Washington
Daron Payne is currently 25 years old and is coming off an 11.5 sack season. He is also a very good run defender in addition to being a good pass rusher. Payne would be a great long-term piece for the Chicago Bears as he could be a solution on the defensive line’s interior for five-plus years.
However, Payne is a candidate to be franchise tagged so there is a chance he never hits free agency and would need a trade to be moved from Washington. There have not been any real reports that the Commanders plan to exercise the franchise tag on Payne so far.
If Payne hits free agency he should be the unanimous number one target of the Bears and should be a player the Bears heavily target. The Chicago Bears had an abysmal pass rush and rushing attack defense, and Payne would be a massive help to both areas of need. Spotrac currently has Payne projected to sign a five-year, $100 million dollar deal, which is a price I think the Bears should absolutely be willing to go up to. I would even say the Bears should be willing to go above that price tag as the defensive line is their number one need.