Free agent market is passing over the Bears’ former defensive backs and it could play out perfectly for Chicago
The Chicago Bears still have some top free agents on the market after the first wave of signings.
The Chicago Bears kicked off the first day of free agency with some strong defensive signings and strategic re-signings with players such as linebacker D’Marco Jackson, quarterback Case Keenum, and left tackle Braxton Jones. It was a solid haul for Day 1.
Former Bears did well for themselves on the market too. Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds landed a starting gig with the New York Giants on a deal worth $12 million per year, wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus quickly signed a deal to return to the Atlanta Falcons, and defensive end Dominique Robinson landed in the perfect system with the Houston Texans.
It’s great to see those players land on their feet in a new home, but the same can’t be said yet for the Bears’ former top defensive backs in Kevin Byard III, Jaquan Brisker, and Nahshon Wright despite decent activity at the safety and cornerback positions.
The price could be dropping soon for Kevin Byard III, Jaquan Brisker, and Nahshon Wright
When the Bears signed free agent safety Coby Bryant to a sizable three-year, $40 million deal, I immediately assumed that deal closed the door on Byard and Brisker coming back to Chicago. Brisker departing was always expected, but many held out hope the Bears would find a way to work out a deal with Byard to bring back the All Pro team captain.
The longer they’re out on the market, the more the market cost goes down. For some context, let’s look at some of the other free agent safety deals we saw get agreed to on Monday.
- Bryan Cook: three-year, $40.25 million ($13.4 million APY)
- Jalen Thompson: three-year, $33 million ($11 million APY)
- Alohi Gilman: three-year, $24.75 million ($8.25 million APY)
- Reed Blankenship: three-year, $24.75 million ($8.25 million APY)
Brisker was ideally hoping for a more robust safety market like we saw last season, one that could have netted him $13-14 million per year. Byard was likely hoping to get at least $10 million per year. Unfortunately, that’s not how the market looks anymore, and it’s good news for the Bears if they still want to keep communication open with Byard (I still think Brisker is as good as gone).
As for Nahshon Wright, he planned to cash in on his resurgent season with the Bears that included a Pro Bowl nod as an alternate. There hasn’t been any buzz on him so far and teams are likely cautious about giving him a solid deal after one good season. Here’s how the CB market looked on Monday.
- Alontae Taylor: three-year, $60 million ($20 million APY)
- Jaylen Watson: three-year, $51 million ($17 million APY)
- Cor’Dale Flott: three-year, $45 million ($15 million APY)
- Jamel Dean: three-year, $36.75 million ($12.25 million APY)
- Eric Stokes: three-year, $30 million ($10 million APY)
After a breakout season and a Pro Bowl bid, Wright surely was expecting to get close to $10-12 million per year if a team was willing to throw that kind of money his way. Yet, teams are choosing to look in other directions to acquire cornerback help and not spending as much with the top three names off the board already.
Wright always said he wished to remain with the Bears and defensive backs coach Al Harris. After seeing the market the way it is, maybe he agrees to lower his price to make that possible, saying the Bears actually want him back.
We’ll see how the next few hours go and if there’s any more activity at these two positions. But, right now, the Bears played things out the right way by letting these three defensive backs hit the market. If the price keeps getting lower and the Bears can clear a little space, I’d have no problem talking through options with Byard and Wright to see if they’d come back at a cheaper price.
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Best of the rest: Top free agents still available for the Bears at remaining positions of need after the first wave of free agency
The Chicago Bears still have some space to make a few more signings on the open market.
