Free agency is just about two months away, and the Bears have plenty of decisions to make both in-house and on the open market. With multiple areas of need, free agency and the NFL Draft will be important for general manager Ryan Pace.
With all eyes on the Super Bowl, here are five pending free agents the Bears should keep an eye on Super Sunday:
G Andrew Wylie
Kansas City Chiefs
One of the many focuses for the Bears this offseason will be shoring up their offensive line, which for the most part is locked up at least through next season. The only exception is right guard Kyle Long, who announced his retirement. The Bears will be looking for a plug-and-play guard, and Chiefs guard Andrew Wylie might be one to watch.
While Wylie plays left guard for the Chiefs, he also has experience playing right guard. This season, Wylie shored up the left guard position. He’s come at an affordable price for the Chiefs at $1.05 million over two years. If the Chiefs let Wylie hit the open market, he’s someone the Bears should target.
CB Bashaud Breeland
Kansas City Chiefs
Cornerback is certainly a position of need for the Bears this offseason, which they’ll look to address either in free agency or the NFL Draft. Given the Bears can save $8 million in salary cap space if they cut veteran cornerback Prince Amukamara, he’s likely to be a cap casualty.
One option the Bears could turn to in free agency is Chiefs cornerback Bashaud Breeland, who had 48 total tackles, two interceptions and eight pass breakups in 2019. If Breeland, a talented player at an important position, hits the open market, the Bears would surely be interested — for the right price.
CB Kendall Fuller
Kansas City Chiefs
If the Bears do release veteran cornerback Prince Amukamara this offseason, they could look in-house, turn to the NFL Draft or browse the free agent market for his replacement opposite Kyle Fuller. And maybe that could be Fuller’s brother.
If Chiefs cornerback Kendall Fuller hits the free agent market, he could be someone the Bears could bring in, but it wouldn’t be without cost. In 2019, Fuller had 49 total tackles, one sack, two pass breakups and no interceptions. The Chiefs have also used Fuller as a safety/nickel back hybrid, which produced impressive results.
WR Emmanuel Sanders
San Francisco 49ers
Receiver is far an area of need for the Bears on offense, but it wouldn’t hurt to look. The Bears are still missing that speedster opposite Allen Robinson. While Anthony Miller remains a work in progress, if the Bears wanted to bring in a sure-fire threat, look no further than 49ers receiver Emmanuel Sanders.
The one thing that would prevent the Bears from pursuing Sanders is the high price tag. Sanders made $11 million in 2019. And considering the Bears don’t have a ton of salary cap space, their money would be spent better elsewhere. Plus, if the Bears are going to pay any receiver, it’s going to be clear-cut No. 1 wideout Allen Robinson, who is entering the final year of this three-year deal.
CB Jason Verrett
San Francisco 49ers
It’s looking more and more likely that the Bears will part ways with cornerback Prince Amukamara this offseason, which was made apparent by the signing of CFL cornerback Tre Roberson. If the Bears are looking for a somewhat affordable free agent corner, San Francisco’s Jason Verrett is certainly an option.
Verrett might be an affordable option at cornerback, but he’s not without his risks. Since Week 5 of the 2016 season, Jason Verrett has only played 67 snaps. Ultimately, it might be a risk too great for the Bears, who could also turn to the NFL Draft for a young cornerback.
