The Chicago Bears have only connected on one noteworthy swing to this point in free agency. That was for quarterback Andy Dalton. Every other rumored push they’ve made came up short. Trent Williams took a monster deal from San Francisco. Then Kenny Golladay did the same from New York. It’s clear the mixture of limited money and a regime on unsteady ground is making it difficult for them to secure help.
That doesn’t mean they should or will stop trying. There are still plenty of options out there on the market that can make them better. The longer this process plays out, the cheaper some of those notable names will become. Based on the Williams and Golladay moves, it’s obvious the team is looking for more potential help at offensive tackle and wide receiver.
There are other positions likely to get some attention as well. Here are some names to watch that can help this team improve.
Come for the T.Y. Hilton TD, stay for the celebration 🕺
(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/wD7m3y3Gsw
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) December 13, 2020
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Chicago Bears haven’t hit yet but they still have swings to take
T.Y. Hilton (WR)
The 32-year old may not be in his prime anymore. Don’t be fooled though. Hilton remains fast. His prowess as a vertical threat hasn’t diminished all that much despite his frustrating 2020 season in Indianapolis. When healthy, he can still run. Try to imagine him and Darnell Mooney on the field together. That would make for a rather exciting array of big-play opportunities. The more options they can give Andy Dalton, the better.
Josh Reynolds (WR)
People might be sleeping on Josh Reynolds a little too much. The big receiver had his best season in 2020 for the Los Angeles Rams, posting 618 yards and two touchdowns. Remember he comes from a roster that featured Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp. So it was hard for him to find targets. He might be ready for a more prominent role in an offense. He’d be a great upgrade over Javon Wims and another big target for Dalton.
Tyler Eifert (TE)
Tight end isn’t a strength of this team. It isn’t a weakness though either. It’s “fine.” Jimmy Graham had nine touchdowns last year. Cole Kmet showed some promise. In terms of depth though? That is troubling. JP Holtz is their only noteworthy name at the moment. Adding Eifert to the mix would give them more pass-catching skills. The former 1st round pick never lived up to his draft status but he has proven he can be a viable target when he’s healthy.
Eric Fisher (OT)
Are the Chicago Bears considering a move away from Charles Leno? Their recent interest in Trent Williams would suggest as much. Eric Fisher is available after being released by Kansas City. He has strong ties to Matt Nagy and is a two-time Pro Bowler. At age 30 he’s not too old, though is recovering from an Achilles problem. This should keep his price low. If the Bears were looking to get out from under Leno’s bloated contract, this would be a good way to do it.
Brian Poole's one-handed pick 6 is poetry in motion 😱 @poolioo pic.twitter.com/FEODcDTMvm
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) November 24, 2019
Brian Poole (CB)
Signing Desmond Trufant was necessary to soften the blow from losing Kyle Fuller. The work isn’t over yet though. They still need to find somebody who can replace Buster Skrine in the slot too. One guy who never seems to get enough love is Brian Poole. He is a solid all-around cornerback that can blitz, tackle, and play solid coverage. Quarterbacks had just a 61.6 passer rating when targeting him last year. If the Bears aren’t willing to gamble on Duke Shelley, Kindle Vildor, or Tre Roberson? They need to sign him.
Xavier Woods (S)
Tashaun Gipson hasn’t re-signed with the Bears. This would suggest either his asking price is too high or they don’t want him back. Either way, it leaves a void at safety they need to fill. With the team shifting back to the Fangio-style defense, they could be looking for a more Adrian Amos-type safety. Somebody versatile who can play down in the box without being a weak link in coverage. Xavier Woods is exactly that type of player. He never gets a lot of attention but the guy can play.
