The Chicago Bears didn’t end up landing any big free agents this past offseason. They did land some notable names but nobody that would be considered a “splash.” Most assumed this was because the team didn’t have a lot of money to throw around. However, this is ignoring the reality that Ryan Pace is the GM. This man never fears being aggressive if he feels it will help his team get better. The Khalil Mack trade last year was obvious proof of that.
As it turns out, he came awfully close to landing one of the big names on the market this past March. The New York Giants had chosen to let Pro Bowl safety Landon Collins walk rather than offering him a new contract. This made him one of the most sought-after prizes. A big, physical safety who’s excellent against the run and underrated in coverage. From the Bears’ perspective, he would’ve made an ideal wingman to Eddie Jackson.
There was just no way the team could pursue him, right? Not so fast. According to Dan Pompei of The Athletic, three teams were in a tight race to land Collins back in spring. One of them was indeed the Bears.
He is the type of safety who can drop deep in the post and keep track of the wide receiver crossing in front of him while having his vision fixed on the quarterback 20 yards downfield. And he is the type of man who could be committed to the Giants while having his sights set on a different home on the horizon.
When the 2018 season ended, Collins knew he was gone. A little after 4 p.m. on March 11, Collins was on his way to a workout in Miami. His agent David Mulugheta of Athletes First called. The negotiating period for free agency had just begun. The Bears, Colts and Redskins all were coming on strong with offers.
Within an hour, it was clear that one team was the most determined.
Mulugheta: “How do you feel about the Redskins?”
Collins: “I love the Redskins. That’s where I want to be.”
Chicago Bears were eventually outdone by two factors
While all signs indicate the Bears were serious about their pursuit, two things eventually ended it. First was the simple fact that the Washington Redskins offered the most money. They all but broke the bank, handing Collins $84 million over the next six years to become their new cornerstone on defense. The other was the fact that the safety had grown up a Redskins fan. He was a huge lover of the late, great Sean Taylor. So when his favorite childhood team also offered the most money? It was a no-brainer.
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Not that the Bears wallowing in depression on the missed opportunity. They soon signed the very man Washington discarded to get Collins in veteran Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. At the cost of just $3 million too. He then proceeded to remind his former team what they’d kicked to the curb by intercepting Case Keenum twice on Monday night, returning one for a touchdown. He also had more tackles than Collins (9 to 7).
This is proof again that missed opportunities to make a splash in free agency aren’t always a bad thing. Good teams find a way to move on from them with contingency plans. That’s exactly what the Bears did.
