We’re just a few months from the hopeful start of the 2020 season. But it’s never too early to take a look at what lies ahead in 2021. Particularly on the unrestricted free agent front.
Bears general manager Ryan Pace has some important decisions to make regarding some of his big-name free agents, some that will have to earn that next contract and others that are shoe-ins for another deal. (Looking at you, Allen Robinson.)
Let’s take a look at 11 notable unrestricted free agents and whether the Bears should re-sign them, as well as the to-be-determined group that features a slew of one-year prove-it deals.
*Contract details courtesy of Spotrac
WR Allen Robinson
2020 salary: $14M
Allen Robinson has been the best thing about the Bears offense in his two short seasons in Chicago, and he’s proven to be the No. 1 receiver this team has been looking for. He’s managed to thrive in some pretty average or bad offenses in Chicago — even managing a 1,000-yard season in one of the league’s worst offenses — and it should be a no-brainer for Pace to lock up Robinson long-term.
Verdict: Re-sign
QB Mitchell Trubisky
2020 salary: $7.258M
Mitchell Trubisky hasn’t lived up to his billing as a former No. 2 overall pick, which is exactly why the Bears brought in Nick Foles to challenge him for the starting job. While Trubisky has had some impressive moments, he hasn’t been able to become the consistent passer Pace had hoped. Where things stand right now, Trubisky hasn’t done enough to warrant picking up his fifth-year option let alone a new contract with Chicago. The hope is that changes in 2020, but we’ve been hoping for three years.
Verdict: Don’t re-sign
WR Cordarrelle Patterson
2020 salary: $5M
Cordarrelle Patterson has brought a spark back to Chicago’s special teams as one of the NFL’s best kick returners and gunners, which garnered him an All-Pro and Pro-Bowl nods in 2019. Obviously, he’d need to come at the right price, which is where things get tricky. But if the Bears can find Patterson a role on offense — be in the run game or pass game — they could justify extending him. Although it’s hard to have any faith with this offense right now outside of Robinson.
Verdict: Re-sign
RB Tarik Cohen
2020 salary: $758K
Tarik Cohen has been one of Pace’s better draft picks, especially given his versatility on offense and on special teams. Cohen has succeeded as a punt returner, garnering All-Pro and Pro-Bowl honors in 2018. He can be used in a variety of ways on offense — be it in the run game or pass game. But Nagy wasn’t able to effectively utilize him last season in a way that would warrant a massive deal. But the Bears could surely ink him to a team-friendly deal to keep a versatile weapon in Chicago.
Verdict: Re-sign
TE Adam Shaheen
2020 salary: $1.477M
Adam Shaheen hasn’t lived up to his second-round billing, which is due to injury struggles that have limited his on-field play and subsequent growth. While Shaheen might deserve another chance to prove to the Bears that he can be a solid tight end, he likely won’t get the chance. Shaheen isn’t likely to make the 53-man roster given the Bears locked up Cole Kmet and Demetrius Harris to be the “Y” tight ends.
Verdict: Don’t re-sign
DE Roy Robertson-Harris
2020 salary: $3.259M
Roy Robertson-Harris joined the Bears as an undrafted free agent in 2016, and he quickly became an integral part to Chicago’s defensive line. He was instrumental with injuries to Akiem Hicks and Bilal Nichols, logging 30 tackles, 2.5 sacks and three passes defensed in 15 games last season. The Bears signed Robertson-Harris to a one-year tender to keep him in Chicago through 2020. And given his value as a key rotational player for this Bears defensive front, they’d be wise to sign him to an extension.
Verdict: Re-sign
P Pat O’Donnell
2020 salary: $1.75M
Pat O’Donnell averaged 44.8 yards per punt, which ranked 26th in the NFL, including a long of 75 yards. O’Donnell also had 26 punts inside the 20-yard line, which ranked 16th in the league. Ultimately, O’Donnell has proven to be a reliable punter for the Bears. And until they find someone better to succeed him, they’d do well in inking O’Donnell to a short-term deal to keep him in Chicago.
Verdict: Re-sign
LS Patrick Scales
2020 salary: $1.047M
Patrick Scales signed a one-year extension to remain with the Bears earlier this offseason. Scales has served as Chicago’s long snapper for 53 games over the past five seasons. While he missed the 2015 season with an ACL injury suffered during the preseason, he’s been a staple ever since.
Verdict: Re-sign
S Deon Bush
2020 salary: $1.4M
Right now, it’s difficult to assess Deon Bush’s stock on defense. He’ll have a chance to battle for the starting strong safety spot with Tashaun Gipson, who’s the clear-cut favorite. But regardless of if Bush wins the starting job opposite Eddie Jackson, he’s become a valuable reserve player for Chicago, and they’d be wise to sign him to a short-term extension.
Verdict: Re-sign
DB Sherrick McManis
2020 salary: $1.187M
Sherrick McManis, the longest-tenured Bears player, has proven to be a valuable contributor on special teams and as a reserve in the defensive backfield. The Bears would be wise to ink him to another one-year deal to keep him in Chicago.
Verdict: Re-sign
TE Ben Braunecker
2020 salary: $1.35M
Heading into the 2019 season, Ben Braunecker was the third tight end of the depth chart and poised to make an impact. Ultimately injuries and a lack of production hurt that chance, as he finished last season with just six receptions for 59 yards. Given the Bears’ decision to overhaul the tight end room, it feels like the clock is winding down for Braunecker’s time in Chicago.
Verdict: Don’t re-sign
The To-Be-Determined Group
The Bears inked a number of free agents to one-year low-cost, high-reward deals at some positions of need, but they’ll need to prove that they’re worthy of a contract extension.
| Position | Player | 2020 Salary |
| S | Kentrell Brice | $825K |
| CB | Artie Burns | $1.047M |
| WR | Trevor Davis | $750K |
| WR | Ted Ginn Jr. | $1.187M |
| S | Tashaun Gipson | $1.05M |
| TE | Demetrius Harris | $1.65M |
| OL | Germain Ifedi | $1.047M |
| DT | John Jenkins | $1.1M |
| S | Jordan Lucas | $1M |
| OLB | Barkevious Mingo | $1.187M |
| OL | Jason Spriggs | $825K |
Other unrestricted free agents in 2021
Here’s a look at the remainder of Bears players set to hit the open market following the 2020 season.
| Position | Player | 2020 Salary |
| OLB | Devante Bond | $825K |
| QB | Tyler Bray | $955K |
| OL | Rashaad Coward | $735K |
| S | DeAndre Houston-Carson | $1M |
| OLB | Isaiah Irving | $850K |
| OL | Corey Levin | $825K |
| TE | Eric Saubert | $825K |
| DE | Brent Urban | $1M |
