7 best free agent tackle options for Chicago Bears

3. Is George Fant a bandaid fix for the Chicago Bears

George Fant is not quite as young as some of these players testing free agency for the first time. Fant hit free agency in 2020 after three years with the Seattle Seahawks. He spent the last three years with the New York Jets and is hoping to find another payday this spring.

Fant is not the big-name starter, and he will be 31 this season. Still, he is a reliable starter, if the Bears do miss out on the big names, or they do not want to overpay.

Fant has started at both right and left tackle. In 2020, he played 689 snaps at right tackle, and 139 on the left side. Then, in 2021, he played 840 snaps back on the left side, and 48 snaps at right tackle. Finally, in 2022 he played 309 snaps at right tackle, and 207 snaps at left tackle.

The reality is that while versatility is great, the movement back and forth could not have helped his time with the New York Jets. So, that is why his reputation is now worse in 2023 than it was in 2020. Still, the Chicago Bears could be thinking that if he just sticks to right tackle, they could get more consistent play.

They could sign him for a reasonable deal, and that would not stop them from drafting a long-term option, which is probably not happening signing the other names on this list. It is not the fan’s favorite, but the Chicago Bears may have an interest in George Fant.