Bears were named landing spot for free agent safety who is a bargain signing

The Chicago Bears have been linked to plenty of safeties this offseason. It makes sense, considering the team has two free agent options. One name that is far less talked about but makes a ton of sense is Ar’Darius Washington.

Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report went through the best potential value signings in free agency this offseason. At safety, he listed Washington as the best option and listed the Bears as a great fit.

"In addition to having a killer instinct, Washington has flashed versatility while being relied upon in the slot, the box and deep. He was a top-10-graded safety at PFF in 2024 but may have been forgotten at this point"
Brad Gagnon

Will the Chicago Bears pursue Ar’Darius Washington in NFL Free Agency?

These are the types of signings that should be linked to the Bears when it comes to the safety position. As things stand, they are looking to shed salary at safety, which is why the team is likely going to let Jaquan Brisker go.

So, many projections stating that the Bears will pay someone like Bryan Cook or Kam Curl more than what Brisker is expected to get do not make sense. If they wanted to spend big, they would bring back their own, but they need the money to spread across the roster. Someone like Washington is a great signing for this.

Bleacher Report projects Washington to sign a $3 million deal in free agency. That will give the team the ability to sign another reasonable safety to a contract to play next to him and invest in the defensive line and left tackle as well.

Washington is available for such a bargain because he is coming off an Achilles tear, so there is obviously a legitimate risk when it comes to what you are getting with him. Still, when he is healthy, he is worth much more than this cost, so the Bears could be savvy to buy low on a risk and see the reward of starting-caliber play.

Other names that could end up being bargain deals at safety include Nick Cross, Kyle Dugger, Alohi Gillman, and Andre Cisco. None of them is going to cost the Bears on the salary cap; all of them have starter ability, and all of them have the potential to play above their salary.

Washington or one of these names is where the Bears should be looking to find their next safety.