I don't know about you, but I'm tired of all this major Bears news. Ever since last season ended, it's been a constant stream of breaking news, major stories, and First Take segments that start with the Bears and end with the Cowboys.
And sure, the Bears have been a steady source of page views this offseason. We're all indebted to them for that. But every once in a while, the people just want a nice little story about offensive line depth. Something easy on the stomach.
Bleacher Report gets it, which is why they put together a comprehensive list of available free agents that absolutely won't move the needle at all. Like, the Bears could sign every single guy on this list, and it'd be mid-August before you found out. That's how milquetoast – and wonderful – it is.
Bears have a perfect free agent target available for a low-risk deal
BR threw two offensive linemen on the list, and one of them already played for the Bears. Granted, maybe Charles Leno returning to Chicago could happen, but it doesn't really feel like it. So that leaves former Dolphins iOL Connor Williams. Here's what BR says:
" ... it's shocking to see a player of Connor Williams' caliber remain unsigned. Williams did suffer a torn ACL in December. Drew Rosenhaus, Williams' agent, told media that his client might not sign at the very beginning of free agency as he heals, but we're now heading into the season and Williams isn't on a roster."
"Williams was a capable guard with the Dallas Cowboys before he signed with the Miami Dolphins in 2022 free agency. He moved to the pivot in South Beach and took his play to another level, earning an 86.5 grade from PFF and giving up just one sack last season. Williams would be an upgrade for a number of teams as a center and could even go back to guard in the right situation."
A reliable backup at right guard, you say? Who could also play center? Even with the injury concerns, having Williams compete with Ryan Bates and/or Nate Davis for 2 of the 3 shaky spots on the Bears' offensive line makes all the sense in the world. It's not like any one of those three players are actively bad, but also, neither of them are good enough to avoid a camp competition. Ryan Poles loves himself a camp competition, and prides himself on the lines he puts together, so there's really no reason not to do this.
The problem is that Bleacher Report doesn't agree – they have Williams' as a good candidate for the Broncos or a return to Miami. Luckily Bleacher Report doesn't call the shots, they just make the slideshows. Both are necessary in their own ways.
But anyways, yeah. Connor Williams to the Bears. Let's make it happen.