Naming the Chicago Bears' biggest losers from a hectic first week of NFL free agency
The Chicago Bears were one of the busiest teams during the first week of the NFL free agency cycle, from the very start of the legal tampering period opening to the end of the first week this past the weekend. The Bears' front office has brought in some top talent off the open market at […]
The Chicago Bears were one of the busiest teams during the first week of the NFL free agency cycle, from the very start of the legal tampering period opening to the end of the first week this past the weekend.
The Bears' front office has brought in some top talent off the open market at some critical positions of need while even making two bombshell trades throughout the week that caught everyone by surprise.
With the dust settled on the first week of the madness, let's take a step back and review what happened. After all the additions and subtractions to the roster over the last week, here are three Bears who leave the first week of free agency as “losers.”
RB Roschon Johnson
The Bears' biggest loser so far in free agency as to be the team's promising young running back Roschon Johnson. After rushing for 352 yards and hauling in 209 receiving yards during his rookie season, the Bears' front office still went out and paid big money for D'Andre Swift as soon as the legal tampering period opened.
The Bears also have 2023 starter Khalil Herbert under contract at the position heading into next season, which now pushes Johnson down the pecking order in terms of getting touches and opportunities on the field. Johnson's skill set as a pass blocker that he showed during his rookie season will still give him some snaps on offense but who knows how many opportunities he will actually get to see the field.
Under new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, the Bears wanted to bring in a different style back at better fits his scheme and multiple running backs haven’t had the most sustained success in his offenses. In 2023, the Seattle Seahawks' offense under Waldron had the 2nd-fewest rushing attempts and 5th-fewest rushing yards.
QB Tyson Bagent
The Bears' decision at the quarterback position regarding who will start in 2024 didn’t seem like it would have any affect on 2023 undrafted free agent, and four week wonder-kid, Tyson Bagent one week ago. That has since changed after the Bears brought in veteran quarterback Brett Rypien.
Bagent will now have some competition to go up against for the backup quarterback position with the Bears expected to draft their next franchise quarterback with the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
As the starter during the four games Justin Fields missed in 2023, Bagent led the Bears to a 2-2 record while throwing for 859 yards, 3 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. He also had 109 yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground. It seems the Bears didn’t see enough in those four weeks to feel the up-most confidence in him being the backup to a rookie next season. Which means Bagent will have to prove himself once again.
WR Velus Jones Jr.
Wide receiver is still a major need for the Bears' offense heading into 2024 even after trading for Keenan Allen. The depth at the position is lacking and another under the radar signing last week could signal the final days of a former third round pick.
Along with bringing in Allen, the Bears also signed wide receiver Dante Pettis to a one-year deal after he was waived by the Bears due to injury last September. Pettis will be back in the fold and will challenge Velus Jones Jr. as the team's starting returner.
Jones returned 16 kickoffs in 2023 for an average of 27.2 yards per return. After playing just 11 percent of the team's offensive snaps in 2023, being the returner on special teams is Jones' only avenue to play next season. Pettis will immediately enter the season as the team's starting punt returner and could push to return kickoffs as well, which could ultimately put Jones out of a job in Chicago.
Chicago Bears’ updated roster after first week of NFL free agency and trades
The squad is coming together.
