Chicago Bears Free Agency: Identifying the best offensive free agents at each position
Chicago Bears cannot count on Sam Mustipher or Lucas Patrick at center
Personally, I would prefer that the Chicago Bears find a new center in the 2023 NFL Draft. There are a few names I would love to see selected in the second or third round. John Michael Schmitz and Joe Tippman are my top options. However, there are a couple of others who would be upgrades over Lucas Patrick and Sam Mustipher as well.
I have a feeling Lucas Patrick is not cut this offseason despite saving them over $3 million in cap space if he was to be cut. Sam Mustipher actually improved last season, but he's still nothing more than an NFL backup. If the Bears and Ryan Poles decide to add a free-agent center instead of looking to the 2023 NFL Draft, then these are the guys I'd expect to be considered.
- Ethan Pocic
- Garrett Bradbury
- Ben Jones
- Bradley Bozeman
- Connor McGovern
My Bears Choice: Garrett Bradbury
I know many Bears fans have put Ethan Pocic at the top of this list. Ben Jones should honestly be the guy considered if Poles isn't as concerned with age. Jones will be 34 this year, but has been the best and most reliable center on this list. He has been part of a dominant running attack in Tennessee. If Poles wants to continue to look for youth, then Garrett Bradbury and Pocic would be his best choices. I'm leaning toward Bradbury over Pocic though.
Bradbury is a former first-round pick and has only played four years in the league. Pocic came into the league at a young 22 and was a second-rounder. He's going into year seven of his career. That said, Bradbury has four more starts than Pocic. Both fit the athletic profile that Poles likes from his offensive linemen, but I like what I have seen from Bradbury more than Pocic.