Chicago Bears Free Agency: Blueprint to the perfect 2023 offseason
The Chicago Bears need to sign these or similar free agents
For the Chicago Bears to have the perfect offseason, not every name that I am pointing out needs to be written in stone. That's why the titles are not as specific to the players I am choosing. Clearly, many factors that I cannot control and information that I do not have direct access to must be considered. However, to land a defensive tackle in Dre'Mont Jones, two defensive ends who can get to the quarterback, and a right tackle considered to be an upgrade over the 2022 roster is the blueprint. Add in the trade to get a true WR1 despite his age and you are setting Justin Fields up for success.
This is not enough though. The team needs to add players in free agency to fill out this roster and I'd like to see the following names or at least similar players signed before the 2023 NFL Draft.
David Montgomery, RB
Saquan Barkley is tagged and it's between David Montgomery and Miles Sanders for Ryan Poles. Poles has made it known how much he likes Montgomery. I think these two find a way to get a deal done that doesn't break the bank at the running back position though. Somewhere in the $8 million per year range.
Andre Dillard, OG
The Chicago Bears should look to add Andre Dillard in free agency. Ian Cunningham has ties to the Philadelphia Eagles and Dillard isn't starting for the Eagles. Giving him a chance to start here in Chicago should entice the former first-rounder. Dillard can push Braxton Jones for the starting left tackle spot. I want some competition for Jones, but I am coming around to him being the starting left tackle for the 2023 NFL season.
Bobby Okereke, LB
Matt Eberflus should not have any issues bringing in Bobby Okereke if he hits free agency. Money will dictate things as Okereke is coming off a career year in Indianapolis. He finished with 144 combined tackles and two forced fumbles. He will be 27 this offseason but should fit in nicely next to Jack Sanborn in 2023.
Cam Sutton, CB
If I were the Chicago Bears, I'm looking for a nickel corner and keeping Kyler Gordon on the perimiter. When watching Gordon on film, he was a better defender on the outside than at the nickel spot. I'd look to bring in a guy like Cam Sutton from Pittsburgh who might be a little older at 28 but has been a consistent defender in the slot. He has five interceptions over the last two seasons and his advanced stats are solid as well. Other names here could be Chandon Sullivan, Sean Murphy-Bunting, or if released from Indianapolis, Kenny Moore.
Next. Eberflus describes his ideal defensive lineman. dark
More depth will obviously need to be added, but these are the other key additions Ryan Poles will need to make to complete his blueprint for the perfect free agency leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft. Next up...the perfect 2023 NFL Draft to compliment these free agent signings.