When we look at the Chicago Bears roster, one glaring need is the center position. The Bears don't need just any center, they need a center they can depend on. There are a few names heading to free agency that make sense for Chicago. Aaron Brewer could be an option should he hit free agency. He has had some very good seasons for the Titans and pairing him back up with Nate Davis could bring some familiarity that will help the offensive line gel quickly this offseason. Evan Brown is another name since Shane Waldron just left Seattle. Lloyd Cushenberry would be my third favorite choice.
I think Evan Brown hits free agency, but I'm not confident about the other two. One thing that is for sure though, former Rams center, Brian Allen will be available. The Rams made the roster cut yesterday and Allen will be a free agent in 2024. Allen was a name many Bears fans wanted to see brought to Chicago before the start of the 2022 season. He signed a three-year extension with Los Angeles and Chicago never stood a chance. Well, maybe they bring him in now.
The Chicago Bears should consider signing Brian Allen
There is a reason why Brian Allen is available. Since 2021, Allen has yet to play a full season. His 2022 season was cut short thanks to a knee injury. Then, in 2023, Allen lost the starting center spot to Coleman Shelton. Bringing Allen in on a cheap deal could be exactly what this team needs though. They could still look to the draft, but it gives the team a fighting chance at landing a center who can actually hold down the position. Lucas Patrick was not good enough and Cody Whitehair should have stuck to the guard position.
One other reason that Brian Allen makes sense is that he is familiar with the offensive scheme that Waldron will want to run in Chicago. In fact, Waldron was on the Rams' staff when the team drafted Allen. They would have worked together for three years (2018-2020) before Waldron took a promotion as offensive coordinator with the Seahawks.
Despite his knee injury in 2022 and his struggles/benching in 2023, Brian Allen makes sense as a legitimate center option for the Chicago Bears this season. The one catch is that I would still draft a center in the 2024 NFL Draft. This gives the rookie a chance to prove he's better or at the very least, watch and learn until it is his time to take over.
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