1) 2016 free agent class
Key hits – DE Akiem Hicks, LB Danny Trevathan, RT Bobby Massie
Key misses – LB Jerrell Freeman
It’s a bit ironic that the Bears’ worst season record-wise took place following their best free agency class. Defensive end Akiem Hicks, linebacker Danny Trevathan and right tacjke Bobby Massie all earned second contracts with the team and go into 2020 as projected starters.
Massie, easily the weakest of the trio, fell off in 2019 after steadily improving and bringing stability to the offensive line. Still, the initial move to sign him away from the Arizona Cardinals was a success. But the true stars of this class are Hicks and Trevathan.
The two veterans are often considered to be the biggest leaders on the defense. Hicks, who signed a two-year deal, found a home after being traded from the New Orleans Saints to the New England Patriots and became one of the NFLs most feared defensive lineman. While OLB Khalil Mack may be the star of the defense, Hicks is the foundation.
Trevathan, fresh off a Super Bowl win with the Denver Broncos, was inked to a four-year deal and provided key stability at the team’s linebacker position. He’s a crucial piece to the Bears defense and mentor to younger players like linebacker Roquan Smith.
Even players like quarterback Brian Hoyer (one-year deal) and linebacker Jerrell Freeman (three-year deal) had brief success with the team. Hoyer, playing for an injured Jay Cutler, had four-straight games with 300 yards passing and finished his brief season with six touchdowns to no interceptions before going down with a broken arm. Freeman led the team with 102 tackles, but ended the next season on injured reserve and was then pinched for performance-enhancing drugs.
While this group didn’t do much to move the needle in 2016, most of them became an integral part to the team’s success in 2018 and will all likely be looked upon to contribute this upcoming season.
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