In our second installment of potential fits with the new coaching staff, we’ll dive into a pool of players that are set to hit the free agent market next month.
In our first installment, we covered potential cut candidates that could be deemed fit under the new coaching staff. The Chicago Bears are projected to have the seventh-highest amount of “effective cap space” (including getting the roster to 51 players and accounting for their draft class). Over The Cap also has the Bears with the sixth most cap space when it comes to restructuring potential. Simply put, Chicago will be able to do whatever they want.
More importantly, with a new coaching staff comes new needs. Head coach Ben Johnson, defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, and their assistants should have input into how general manager Ryan Poles approaches this offseason. Especially with a new staff taking over, fit and familiarity can be necessary at the start of a new tenure. That’s why we’ll dive deeper into potential free agent fits for the Bears in March.
Offense (Ben Johnson and Staff):
WR Tim Patrick (Detroit Lions)
The 31-year-old spent the first six years of his career in Denver. Despite a good first four years in Denver, he missed the 2022 and 2023 seasons with two significant injuries. He was released from the Broncos and eventually caught in with Johnson in Detroit. Patrick played 16 games with nine starts. Although his numbers weren’t overly impressive (33 receptions for 394 yards and three touchdowns), he showed he still has something left in the tank.
Patrick would be a valuable piece for Johnson, especially with his existing knowledge of the offense. He won’t command big money or a long-term deal. He could even be paired with someone like Kalif Raymond or Josh Reynolds if one was cut and signed in Chicago.
Projected Contract: One year, $3 million ($2.065 million guaranteed)
OG Kevin Zeitler (Detroit Lions)
My gut tells me that the Bears will target long-term solutions in free agency along the offensive line. With names like Trey Smith, Will Fries, and Mekhi Becton headlining the group of young names at guard, Zeitler would likely settle in as a Plan B. Even at 35, the veteran posted PFF’s third-best grade for a guard and played over 1,000 snaps. Chicago could do much worse than someone like Zeitler as a backup plan.
Projected Contract: One year, $6.25 million (Fully guaranteed)
iOL Evan Brown (Arizona Cardinals)
Brown departed in free agency last year after spending three years in Detroit as their super-sub on the interior. He has signed back-to-back one-year deals with Seattle and Arizona, and the 28-year-old might have to settle for another one-year pact. Brown is a little small but has guard-center versatility. It’s easy to assume that Brown would be a backup option at center, but they could do much worse than adding someone who can compete with a rookie and provide good pass protection. Fans can expect a contract similar to that of Coleman Shelton from Chicago last season.
Projected Contract: One year, $3 million ($1.75 million guaranteed)
OT Dan Skipper (Detroit Lions)
When looking at Skipper’s production, you’ll see someone who hasn’t seen a lot of starts. His PFF numbers aren’t great, but again, this is someone who could provide valuable knowledge on Johnson’s scheme for close to veteran minimum. Pending the development of Kiran Amegadjie, the swing tackle spot could be open. Unless they plan on spending a few million on a different veteran option, Skipper makes plenty of sense.
Projected Contract: One year, $1.17 million ($750K guaranteed)
QB Teddy Bridgewater (Detroit Lions)
Last season, the Bears opted to go with two young and inexperienced quarterbacks on the active roster. While it’s impossible to predict what they might do under Johnson, there’s reason to believe that he could value bringing in a veteran who knows the system. The Bridgewater situation was an interesting one. He coached high school football and then signed a one-year deal with the Lions near the playoffs. There’s a strong chance Bridgewater might be done with the NFL, but if not, he’s a worthwhile investment, especially as a veteran who can help Caleb Williams with the new offense. It also doesn’t mean they’ll need to dump Tyson Bagent.
Projected Contract: One year, $2.25 million (Fully guaranteed)
Defense (Dennis Allen and Staff)
Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images
TE Juwan Johnson (New Orleans Saints)
Truth be told, this is more about need than any immediate connection to Johnson’s offensive staff. Sure, offensive coordinator Declan Doyle was with Johnson in New Orleans, as was Allen, but the general feeling around the offense is that they’ll value having a better TE2 with the assumed release of Gerald Everett.
Johnson will turn 29 right around Week 1 in September, but his skill set should be one that Johnson and Doyle value. He’s not a great blocker, but with Cole Kmet expected to fill that role, Chicago could look to expand his role as a pass catcher and use his large catch radius. There’s a good chance that the Bears will be priced out of Johnson in a shallow tight end group, but he’s a name worth banking in the back of your mind.
Projected Contract: Three years, $29.25 million ($17 million guaranteed)
DE Chase Young (New Orleans Saints)
It’s hard to believe, but the former No. 1 overall pick is still just 26 years old. Young isn’t going to be the elite pass rusher everyone was hoping for coming out of Ohio State, but he’s still got plenty to offer at the right price. The former Washington Commander had 66 pressures and a touch rate under (15%). He finished the year with just 5 ½ sacks but factored in on seven different ones. Could getting the band back together in Chicago lead to better results for the young pass rusher? Allen had an entire offseason and eight games to get to know him, so we’ll see how he feels.
Projected Contract: Two years, $35 million ($20 million guaranteed)
DE Marcus Davenport (Detroit Lions)
Once upon a time, Davenport was set to be one of the more sought-after free agents. The former No. 14 overall pick has simply been unable to stay healthy. He spent his first five years in New Orleans under Allen. The year before he hit free agency, he had a career-high 9 ½ sacks but hasn’t been able to come close to replicating that again. He’s yet to play an entire season in the NFL and has missed 28 of his last 34 games between his time in Minnesota and Detroit.
This would be the ultimate “buy low” candidate, with little production expectations. At just 28 years old, there’s reason to believe he still has something left in the tank, but he has just 2 ½ sacks in his last six games played. Don’t underestimate his first-round status in his next contract.
Projected Contract: One year, $2 million ($1 million guaranteed)
DE Payton Turner (New Orleans Saints)
The 2021 28th overall pick has not lived up to expectations since being drafted by the Saints. The former University of Houston production came in as a project but has tallied just five sacks in 31 games at the NFL level in four seasons. Turner would be another “buy low” candidate with the idea that a “change of scenery” with the same defensive playcaller could get him to the next level. At just 26 years old, there’s still time for Turner to figure it out. If the Bears were to make this move, it would be with no guarantee of him making the final 53-man roster.
Projected Contract: One year, $1.765 million ($300,000 guaranteed)
DE Tanoh Kpassagnon (New Orleans Saints)
The former “my guy” of the 2017 NFL draft community has not had the career many hoped for. All of this, despite being a physical specimen with impressive athletic testing. The 6’7, 290-pound defensive lineman seemed to be starting to figure things out in New Orleans until he got hurt in 2024. Kpassangnon’s numbers are not flashy, but he’s a quality depth piece when healthy. At 31, it’s hard to imagine he’ll get much on the open market, and it’s unlikely that it would surpass the two-year, $5 million pact he signed with the Saints in 2023.
Projected Contract: One year, $2 million ($1 million guaranteed)
LB Zach Baun (Philadelphia Eagles)
Although Baun is included on this list because he’s a first-team All-Pro and will be a free agent, it’s highly unlikely that he would consider playing under Allen after being misused during his time in New Orleans. Not to mention, as of now, the Bears do not need a linebacker. Even so, his name was worth including on this list, even if it’s not happening.
Projected Contract: Three years, $40 million ($26.5 million guaranteed)
LB Willie Gay Jr. (New Orleans Saints)
The former second-round pick’s first year at Kansas City did not go well. After being a quality starter for the Chiefs for four seasons, Gay was relegated to a reserve role where he only started eight of the 15 games he played. He also posted a career-low 43.9 PFF grade. Similar to Baun, it’s hard to envision a scenario where he’s a viable option in Chicago, even as depth. Gay must rebuild his value for a better bite at the apple in 2026.
Projected Contract: one year, $1.305 million ($775,000 guaranteed)
LB E.J. Speed (Indianapolis Colts)
After posting two consecutive positive seasons, the 29-year-old Speed took a step back in 2024. He struggled in coverage, and although he was good against the run, he graded out as PFF’s 134th linebacker for 2024. Speed should get a quality multi-year contract, but barring cutting someone like T.J. Edwards, Speed is likely to head elsewhere.
Projected Contract: Three years, $12.75 million ($6.445 million guaranteed)
Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images
CB Jourdan Lewis (Dallas Cowboys)
On the surface, the Bears don’t need another nickel corner. That said, both Johnson and Allen spoke very highly of Kyler Gordon in their introductory press conferences. While I firmly believe that Gordon is best suited in the nickel, they could opt to swing him back outside. If so, Lewis on a short-term deal could make sense while they get the defense in place. He has been under Al Harris and newly appointed nickel coach Cannon Matthews for years.
Projected Contract: Two years, $15 million ($7.975 million guaranteed)
CB Paulson Adebo (New Orleans Saints)
Like Lewis, it’s hard to imagine Chicago having a significant need for another starting cornerback. That said, much of that will depend on the new coaching staff’s evaluation of Tyrique Stevenson after a tumultuous sophomore campaign. If the Bears aren’t comfortable with Stevenson moving forward (they should be), Adebo might enter the conversation. Drafted initially with Allen in New Orleans, he’s viewed as an ascending boundary cornerback. Unfortunately for the 26-year-old, he missed a large chunk of the 2024 season with a broken femur. We’ll see how his health status impacts his market.
Projected Contract: Three years, $40 million ($25 million guaranteed)
CB Amani Oruwariye (Dallas Cowboys)
Oruwariye’s falloff from his rookie season is one of the more confounding storylines regarding connections with this coaching staff. He originally started out in Detroit and started tailing off after that. He bounced around with several different teams but spent 2024 under Harris’ tutelage. He would be a buy-low candidate for added depth, with very little guarantee for him at signing. Both Johnson and Harris should be very familiar with the former fifth-round pick.
Projected Contract: One year, $1.17 million (No guarantees)
S Will Harris (New Orleans Saints)
Harris is yet another player on this list with experience with Johnson and the defensive staff. After spending his first five years in Detroit with the Lions, Harris signed a one-year deal with the Saints at close to veteran minimum. All in all, Harris had a solid year in New Orleans. At this point in his career, he’s not a plus-starter, but he could provide quality depth to a strong safety room that will likely need someone to count on if/when injuries show up. Harris could make sense on several levels.
Projected Contract: One year, $1.75 million ($425,000 guaranteed)
S Vonn Bell (Cincinnati Bengals)
Once upon a time, Bell was one of the more coveted free agent safeties hitting the market after a four-year stint in New Orleans. After finishing out a three-year, $18 million deal with the Bengals, he signed a three-year, $22.5 million contract with the Carolina Panthers last offseason. Things didn’t work out, and he was cut after a year before heading back to Cincinnati on a one-year deal. The 31-year-old isn’t the same quality player he used to be, but he experienced some of the best years of his career under Allen in New Orleans. If the Bears want to move on from Kevin Byard but want a trusted veteran to patrol the backend, Bell could make sense at the right price.
Projected Contract: Two years, $6 million ($1.75 million guaranteed)
S Marcus Maye (Los Angeles Chargers)
Maye is another name Allen has known since his two-year stint in New Orleans. Unlike Bell, who started his career with the Saints, Maye experienced an up-and-down tenure under Allen’s defense. He was released in the final year of his deal and bounced around more in 2024. After playing in 11 games with the Miami Dolphins, he was released and picked up by the Los Angeles Chargers. At this point in his career, Maye is better suited as depth.
Projected Contract: One year, $1.255 million ($300,000 guaranteed)