Grading the Chicago Bears additions after the first two waves of NFL free agency
The first two waves of free agency are behind us with the official start of the new league year beginning today. The Chicago Bears were surprisingly mellow during the first two days despite having a solid amount of cap space to work with. The Bears agreed to terms with some Day 1 starters on both […]
The first two waves of free agency are behind us with the official start of the new league year beginning today. The Chicago Bears were surprisingly mellow during the first two days despite having a solid amount of cap space to work with.
The Bears agreed to terms with some Day 1 starters on both sides of the ball during the legal tampering period and given Poles' history in free agency, more signings should be expected to come later in the week.
Here is how the Bears' free agent moves currently grade out based on the initial reactions after agreeing to deals with their new team.
Bears agree to terms with S Kevin Byard: B
A big priority for head coach Matt Eberflus going into free agency was finding an experienced veteran to replace Eddie Jackson in the secondary. The team's front office was able to get it done before the legal tampering period even began by signing former All-Pro safety Kevin Byard.
Byard's experience and production history will be a major boost for the Bears' young secondary, if the team can get him back into form. After being traded from the Tennessee Titans to the Philadelphia Eagles at the 2023 trade deadline, Byard failed to live up to his name value leading to his release.
Eberflus clearly has confidence he can get Byard back to a Pro Bowl level once again and the front office landed the veteran on a great two-year deal worth $15 million.
Bears agree to terms with RB D'Andre Swift: C
D'Andre Swift was quickly taken off the market soon after the legal tampering period began by the Bears and was a surprise signing to many. The Bears were rumored weeks ago to be in the running back market but no one expected the team to be this aggressive in pursuing an upgrade at the position.
The Bears' offense already featured decent-enough running backs in Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson before going out and spending big on Swift. Given the recent history of former Philadelphia Eagles' running backs signing in free agency, I can't help but be weary of this signing.
It also doesn’t help seeing how much the Bears are expected to pay Swift. The two sides agreed to a three-year, $24 million deal with $15 million in guarantees. For comparison, the Green Bay Packers and 2022 rushing champ Josh Jacobs agreed to a four-year, $48 million contract with $12.5 in guarantees hours later. Personally, the Bears overpaid for Swift's services while already having two solid backs on the roster.
Bears agree to terms with TE Gerald Everett: A
Offensive coordinator Shane Waldron was wishing for some reinforcements in the tight end room behind Cole Kmet and the Bears' front office went out to get him an outstanding player he has some history with in Gerald Everett.
Waldron and Everett spent five total seasons together between their time with the Los Angeles Rams and the Seattle Seahawks. Now, the two reunite in Chicago and Everett gives the offense another big body to use in the middle of the field.
Everett's production speaks for itself after recording 400+ receiving yards in each of the last five seasons and 3+ touchdowns in each of the last three seasons. After experimenting with Robert Tonyan and Marcedes Lewis behind Kmet in 2023, Everett will walk in an immediately be a significant upgrade as the team's second tight end.
Bears agree to terms with DB Jonathan Owens: C
Chicago's last signing of the second window on Tuesday doesn’t inspire much confidence on the field. The Bears, like the rest of the NFC North, has a strange infatuation with signing former Green Bay Packers' starters in free agency after the Packers elected to move on from them.
That is once again the case with Jonathan Owens after he started 11 games for the Packers at safety last season. The Packers clearly wanted to move on from all their starting safeties, including Owens this offseason. The good news for the Bears is that Owens will join the team as a high-end backup behind Byard in the secondary.
It doesn’t hurt to have some solid depth in the secondary and it will be an added plus by having Owens' wife and Olympic legend, Simone Biles, join the fanbase.
Bears trade for former Bills' OL Ryan Bates: B+
The Bears trade to land a solid a versatile depth piece on the offensive line looks even better after the first two waves of free agency. The offensive guard market skyrocketed over the last two days and the Bears were able to land a serviceable and cheap interior offensive lineman the front office has had their eyes on for over two years.
Initially, I was against the Bears trading for Bates considering it meant giving up one of their six draft picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, leaving the team with only five remaining. However, the Bears should be expected to gain more draft picks soon one way or another while Bates has the potential to play significant snaps in 2024.
Barring any signing in free agency, the Bears are still looking for a starting center. Bates has experience in that role and could be enough to start at the position. Even if he doesn’t, he will still be a much needed depth player at guard or center that could be ready to step in at a moment’s notice if a starter were to go down again.
