Report: Chicago Bears are a team to watch for free agent Pro-Bowl defensive back

On Monday evening, the Kansas City Chiefs agreed to sign safety Justin Reid to a three-year deal worth $31.5 million. The Chiefs' decision to sign Reid means that Pro-Bowl safety Tyrann Mathieu will be looking for a new home in 2022. And the Chicago Bears could be a possible destination for him. Mathieu turns 30 […]

Zach Ragan — Tennessee Volunteers News Writer
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On Monday evening, the Kansas City Chiefs agreed to sign safety Justin Reid to a three-year deal worth $31.5 million.

The Chiefs' decision to sign Reid means that Pro-Bowl safety Tyrann Mathieu will be looking for a new home in 2022.

And the Chicago Bears could be a possible destination for him.

Mathieu turns 30 in May and he's coming off two straight Pro-Bowl appearances, meaning he's not going to be cheap (that's the only reason the Chiefs didn't extend him).

The contract projection for Mathieu is in the three-year $45 million range.

Would Bears general manager Ryan Poles commit to that much for a safety just a week after trading star pass rusher Khalil Mack (in a move that was mainly to save money in 2023)?

My first instinct is that signing Mathieu doesn't really fit in with Poles' plan.

Poles wants to compete in 2022 — he doesn't want the Bears to an easy win on the schedule — but he's not building a Super Bowl roster this season. That won't happen until next offseason.

2022 is all about Poles and new head coach Matt Eberflus building a culture in Chicago.

Mathieu might be on the more expensive end, but he could be an important piece of that culture.

Jan 12, 2020; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) celebrates a defensive stop against the Houston Texans during the fourth quarter in a AFC Divisional Round playoff football game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 12, 2020; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) celebrates a defensive stop against the Houston Texans during the fourth quarter in a AFC Divisional Round playoff football game at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports Bears Chicago Bears

Most Chiefs fans didn't want to see Mathieu leave because he was the heart and soul of Kansas City's defense. The leadership that Mathieu brought to the field can't be replaced. Neither can his toughness. And from a football standpoint, Mathieu provided versatility as a safety that's usually highly coveted by NFL franchises.

Mathieu would actually be a perfect fit for what the Bears are trying to build. And I think he help could expedite the culture change that's needed in Chicago.

We'll see how this plays out. But I wouldn't be surprised either way. It just depends on how committed to saving money Poles is this offseason.

Featured image via David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

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