The Chicago Bears have to shift their attention to free agency, and some of the situations across the landscape can help them build their roster for next year. The Los Angeles Chargers are going to be doing a lot of roster-changing over the next few months, so there could be some pieces that end up getting away. Who should the Bears have eyes on in free agency?
3. Will the Los Angeles Chargers cut Mike Williams, and should the Chicago Bears pounce?
The Mike Williams situation will be one that the Chicago Bears need to monitor. Williams has a $32.46M cap hit this year. Williams also has just $12.46M in dead cap The deal was structured so that Williams would either be cut or extended by this point.
With a new General Manager and head coach and with Williams coming back from an injury, there is a good chance the Chargers will release Williams this offseason. Is this time for the Bears to pounce?
They have an obvious need at wide receiver, and they have the cap space. Williams will not get a high-end contract, but if he does hit free agency, he will be a sought-after free agent. He would be a great number two across from D.J. Moore, and it would create a stable situation for a rookie quarterback to jump into.
2. Should the Chicago Bears have an interest in Will Clapp?
Will Clapp will be an obvious free agent tied to the Chicago Bears, mainly because the team has a serious need at center. Clapp came in for the injured Corey Linsley last season and played 699 snaps at center, starting from week four on.
Clapp has 1,090 snaps at center to go with 198 snaps at left guard in his NFL career. He started his career with the New Orleans Saints as a reserve, but the Chargers have needed him a lot at center in the past two seasons.
On the one hand, the Chicago Bears need experience at center, and Clapp brings them that in a big way. Clapp could see Chicago as a spot where he could start, and he could sign there on a decently team-friendly deal.
At the same time, Clapp did not do well enough filling Linsley this year and the Chargers offense suffered an obvious drop off without him. This is not a permanent fix and would be more in the category of a player like Lucas Patrick, who is better as a backup. Will the Bears go this route at center again this offseason?
1. Will Alohi Gilman hit free agency for the Chicago Bears to sign?
The Chicago Bears have an interesting decision to make when it comes to Eddie Jackson and his future with the team. He is worthy of starting, but his contract is a bit too inflated to keep at its current state, given his age and injury history. Do the Bears restructure his deal or move on from him this offseason?
If they do move on from Alohi Gillman will be a name to keep an eye on. Gillman is a former sixth-round pick who emerged as a starter in 2022, his third season in the NFL. In 2023, he entered the year as the starter as the free safety next to Derwin James. He had a really good season, which set him up to earn some money.
The Chicago Bears could cut Jackson, sign Gillman, and get younger and cheaper at the position. They also would have a nice match to Jaquan Brisker, who should be in the box as much as Derwin James.
This is a move that the Bears should be eyeing, and fans should keep an eye on Jackson and Gillman to see what happens this offseason.