3 Underrated free agent targets for the Chicago Bears
By Ryan Olson
In the 2023 free agent class there are a handful of high-profile players who will be getting targeted and signing big deals on day one of free agency, even though they could also provide value. There are a lot of under-the-radar guys who could provide big value for teams looking for their best “bang for their buck”. Big names such as Orlando Brown and others could be signing long-term deals, while teams are finding steals for cheap that could be just as valuable.
I am going to highlight three of the most underrated free agents on the open market that the Chicago Bears should look into.
Chicago Bears Underrated Free Agent Target: Bobby Okereke, LB
Bobby Okereke has been a name that has already been linked to the Bears even before free agency opened. Jordan Schultz of The Score reported that the Bears are interested in the off-ball linebacker for a deal somewhere within the $12-$14 million dollar range.
This move makes a ton of sense, Okereke was a guy who was coached by Matt Eberflus in Indianapolis while Eberflus was the defensive coordinator for the Colts. The connection is not hard to find. Not only do the Bears need another off-ball linebacker, but they also need a voice of the defense and a leader to rally the troops, as most of their defensive talent is very young.
Okereke replacing former signal caller Roquan Smith would make a lot of sense for the Chicago Bears as they could knock out two birds with one stone by inking Okereke to a long-term deal. Signing an off-ball linebacker to a multi-year deal is not the most ideal situation in the world when you have a roster with as many holes as the Bears. In most situations, I would be against pouring money into a non-premium position such as linebacker, but in this situation, I would make an exception because of how much it makes sense.