Free agency is just about one month away, and the Chicago Bears will no doubt be monitoring the open market and re-signing some of their in-house players set to become free agents.
With quarterback, tight end, linebacker and defensive back just some of the positions the Bears need to address, free agency is shaping up to be a busy one come March 18.
Before the start of the new league year, let’s take a look back at how the Bears’ 2019 free agent class fared.
WR/KR Cordarrelle Patterson
Cordarrelle Patterson garnered first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in his first season with the Bears as a kick returner. He averaged 29.5 yards per kickoff return, including a 102-yard kickoff return touchdown against the New Orleans Saints. He also led the NFL with 825 kick return yards. Patterson remains one of the game’s best kick returners, and he showed that he’s also quite the gunner on special teams.
Verdict: While Patterson saw little time in Chicago’s offense, he proved to be the versatile playmaker that the Bears needed. The aim in 2020 should be to get Patterson more involved on offense, where he made some plays when given the chance.
S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
The Bears signed safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix to a one-year prove-it deal, where they were choosing to forgo re-signing Adrian Amos to a long-term deal that would’ve cost them a pretty penny. Pairing Clinton-Dix with former Alabama teammate Eddie Jackson proved to be a solid pairing. Clinton-Dix was solid as a free safety in Chicago’s defense, where he had 78 tackles and two interceptions — both coming in Week 3 against his former team in the Redskins.
Verdict: Clinton-Dix was a valuable member of Chicago’s secondary that came at a much cheaper price than the departed Amos. While Clinton-Dix delivered on his one-year prove-it deal, the Bears might not be able to afford him in free agency.
CB Buster Skrine
While nickelback Buster Skrine had a reputation for costly penalties with the Jets, he proved to fit well in his first year in the Bears’ defensive backfield. Skrine was a cheaper and healthier option than the departed Bryce Callahan, who didn’t play a snap for the Broncos in 2019 as he struggled coming back from injury.
Verdict: Skrine had a solid first year in Chicago, where he excelled as a slot corner in the Bears’ defense. With Prince Amukamara likely done in Chicago (where they can save $9 million in cap space), Skrine can move to the outside if the Bears need him to or continue thriving at nickelback.
RB Mike Davis
There was a lot of hype surrounding the addition of Mike Davis, who was being touted as a possible replacement for Jordan Howard, who was traded to the Eagles shortly after. Davis had never really gotten a chance to be a focal back in his previous stops. The Bears had high hopes for what Davis could bring to their offense. Instead, Davis hardly saw the field (totaling 11 rushes for 25 yards in seven games) and was cut on Nov. 9.
Verdict: Davis never got a chance to become part of a Bears backfield that struggled to get going. Matt Nagy ignored the Bears’ ground game, and Davis never stood a chance once rookie David Montgomery got the workload. At least the Bears were able to better their chances to get a fourth-round compensatory pick by releasing Davis mid-season.
ILB Kevin Pierre-Louis
Kevin Pierre-Louis went from unknown reserve linebacker to one of the Bears’ most productive defensive players in the winding weeks of the 2019 season. Pierre-Louis shined in relief of the injured Roquan Smith in the final four games, where he had 28 tackles and one interception. Suddenly, the Bears have an important decision to make regarding the status of pending free agent Pierre-Louis.
Verdict: Despite an early-season blunder that cost the Bears a win, Pierre-Louis redeemed himself with his late-season performance in relief of an injured Roquan Smith. While Pierre-Louis is set to hit free agency once again, the Bears would do well to re-sign him as insurance at inside linebacker.
OL Ted Larsen
Ted Larsen returned to the Bears after two seasons with the Dolphins. He brought with him the ability to serve as insurance on what was believed to be a solid Bears offensive line. Following an injury to right guard Kyle Long, Larson was expected to fill in for him. While Larsen got the start in Week 4, it didn’t take long for Rashaad Coward to take Larsen’s spot in relief of Long for the remainder of the 2019 season.
Verdict: Larsen was signed to provide depth at guard and insurance in case things went south for Chicago’s offensive line. While Larsen started Week 4 at right guard, he served in a reserve role for the duration of the 2019 season. Given the Bears don’t have depth in the middle of the offensive line, re-signing Larsen makes sense.
WR Marvin Hall
The Bears added a speedy receiver to their roster with the signing of receiver Marvin Hall, who also proved to be solid on special teams during his two seasons with the Falcons. Hall impressed during training camp, but it was always going to be an uphill battle considering the talent at the receiver position. With guys like Allen Robinson, Taylor Gabriel and Anthony Miller shoe-ins for a roster spot, there was a chance Hall would be on the outside looking in, which is exactly what happened.
Verdict: The Bears had an influx of talent at the receiver position, and Hall was the odd man out in Chicago. Hall only saw action in the preseason before he was released as part of roster cuts. Hall later signed with the Lions, where he appeared in nine games for Detroit.
