Starting last year, it looked like the Chicago Bears were altering their offseason strategies. After multiple offseasons of heavy spending in free agency, they became much more calculated in their approach. Fewer huges deals, more bargain moves. The purpose behind this was clear enough. They wanted to become bigger players in the compensatory draft pick market.

For those who don’t know, this is an area of NFL business that is popular with teams who don’t spend much in free agency. Depending on the quality of free agents they lose compared to who they bring in, teams can be awarded up to four compensatory picks. Each valuing anywhere from 3rd to 7th round range. The 4th rounder Chicago gave up for Nick Foles last year was a comp pick. Recently they were awarded two 6th rounders for this upcoming draft.

Now with free agency having not even begun, the Bears are on the board again.

Roy Robertson-Harris has agreed to a three-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The big defensive lineman will receive $24.4 million including $14 million guaranteed. A great piece of news for the former undrafted free agent who managed to turn himself into a productive starter. This deal also benefits the Bears too. Depending on what maneuvers they make in the next couple of weeks, they could be looking at a possible 5th round compensatory pick next offseason.

Urban Meyer and the #Jaguars are on the board. They’ve agreed with former #Bears DT Roy Robertson-Harris on a three-year, $24.4 million deal, source said. He gets $14m in guarantees. The deal for the former undrafted free agent was done by @sportstarsnyc.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 15, 2021

Sorry, $8.1M APY over 3 years, got my wires crossed with the Jalen Mills deal of 4 years/$24M that came across at the exact same time.

So make that a solid 5th instead of a borderline 5th/6th. https://t.co/qb4zPnunbu

— Nick Korte (@nickkorte) March 15, 2021

All things considered, the Bears did a tremendous job here. They signed Robertson-Harris as an undrafted free agent in 2017. After shifting him to defensive end, he developed into a quality interior pass rusher and underrated run defender. After four solid seasons of work, he gets paid and the team may end up with a 5th round pick as compensation. That is what they call winning business in the NFL.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIOYYAeQZ_I&ab_channel=ChicagoBears

Chicago Bears aren’t likely to be big players in free agency

They don’t have any money to spend. Recent estimates put them right up against the cap. No more than $1-2 million available. They have ways to clear more space but likely aren’t in a big hurry. Given how loaded the veteran market is, they no doubt feel they’ll be able to find some quality bargains after the first wave passes. They knew Robertson-Harris was leaving, which explains why they moved quickly to lock up Mario Edwards Jr. to a three-year extension.

Together with Akiem Hicks and Bilal Nichols, their defensive end rotation appears to be solid. One can expect they’ll add a bit more depth in the next week or so. The Chicago Bears shouldn’t be expected to spend what little money they have on defense. Most of their focus is on the offensive side of the ball. Hardly a surprise since they have no quarterback and a big vacancy at right tackle as well.

Every dime they have is needed to solve those problems.

One can expect the team will also continue to dabble extensively in the undrafted market this year. They’ve had considerable successes since Pace became GM. Bryce Callahan was the first. Robertson-Harris is another. Now Sam Mustipher and Alex Bars have emerged as quality additions to. Teams that find regular success unearthing such players tend to do well in the long run.