Tag: bears free agent targets

Report: Bears targeting TE Austin Hooper in free agency

The Bears are expected to address tight end this offseason, and it sounds like they’ve found their free agent target in Austin Hooper.

The Bears are focused on revamping the tight end position this offseason, a group that collectively struggled in 2019.

Chicago has already signed tight end Demetrius Harris, who played in Kansas City with Matt Nagy. But general manager Ryan Pace made it clear that they were going to target tight end in free agency and the NFL Draft.

And it sounds like the Bears have found their veteran tight end target in Falcons’ two-time Pro Bowler Austin Hooper.

The Bears are planning to make a run at Hooper, according to Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun Times. 

Hooper had a career year in 2019, where he caught 75 passes for 787 yards and six touchdowns.

The Falcons made it clear that they won’t use the franchise tag on Hooper or sign him to an extension before free agency. Hooper is considered the best free agent tight end, and he’ll be on the open market.

According to Spotrac, Hooper is projected to become the highest-paid tight end in the NFL next season — with his market projected around $50 million over five years. And the Bears, who have $26 million in salary cap space, could make it work.

Considering the disappointing output from Bears tight ends last season — they combined for 46 catches, 416 yards and two touchdowns — it’s certainly worth it for the Bears to make Hooper an offer.

The only problem is, Hooper will certainly be in high demand. So if Ryan Pace wants Hooper, he’s going to have to be willing to outbid everyone else.

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Safety Vonn Bell could be perfect fit for Bears in free agency

The Bears aren’t expected to re-sign Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and need to fill the void at safety. Vonn Bell could be that guy in free agency.

The Bears are expected to lose Ha Ha Clinton-Dix to free agency, which means they’ll be looking to fill a hole at safety opposite former All-Pro Eddie Jackson.

Chicago will likely turn to free agency or the NFL Draft to fill the void at safety. And NFL.com believes Vonn Bell would be the perfect fit for the Bears.

The Bears have very little cap room to work with, and it’s unlikely they’ll be able to do much of anything at their current position. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is in search of a big payday in free agency, meaning Chicago will need to address the position in some form. Without cutting someone to create space, this isn’t likely to happen, but Bell might sign at a lower number, at least.

The Bears signed Clinton-Dix to a one-year prove-it deal, and he definitely proved that he’s worthy of a long-term deal following a solid 2019 season. Only thing is that’s not likely to come in Chicago, as the Bears are already in a crunch with their salary cap situation. Which means the Bears need to turn elsewhere for help at safety.

Bell had a breakout season with the Saints in 2019, where he posted career highs in total tackles, pass breakups and fumble recoveries. He also notched his first interception and defensive touchdown of his career. Bell has a nose for the ball, which would serve well opposite ballhawk Eddie Jackson.

Not only would Bell come at a cheaper price than re-signing Clinton-Dix, but Bell plays strong safety, which would allow Jackson to move back to free safety where he thrived in his first two seasons.

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PFF believes Bears will sign TE Eric Ebron in free agency

The Bears are desperate for a reliable tight end. Pro Football Focus predicts that the Bears will sign tight end Eric Ebron in free agency.

The Bears have several positional concerns they need to address this offseason, and tight end is near the top of the list.

While the Bears have already added a veteran tight end this offseason in Demetrius Harris, they’re still expected to sign a veteran in free agency and draft a tight end.

There are a few high-profile tight ends slated to hit free agency, including Austin Hooper and Hunter Henry.

Pro Football Focus believes that the Bears will sign another big-name tight end in Eric Ebron, who they rank as the 30th best free agent. PFF projects Chicago to sign Ebron to a three-year deal worth $22.5 million with $14 million guaranteed.

Chicago desperately needs a reliable tight end — Trey Burton didn’t play too well in his first year with the Bears in 2018, producing a 64.4 receiving grade.  And he responded in 2019 by lowering his grade to 48.2 in limited action. The Bears’ second-round pick from 2017, Adam Shaheen out of Ashland, has never seen more than 14 targets in a single season.

There’s a pretty steep drop-off among free agent tight ends after Hunter Henry, so it wouldn’t be shocking to see Chicago get themselves in a situation where they are reaching for an Eric Ebron. He’s been consistent as a receiver by posting receiving grades between 69.4 and 71.4 in each of the past four years, but he might be someone to be cautious investing in — especially considering the Bears have minimal cap space.

After underwhelming with the Lions for his first four seasons, Ebron was reborn in Indianapolis. Ebron had 66 receptions for 750 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2018.

While Ebron’s production took a dip last season — he had 31 receptions for 375 yards and three touchdowns — that was better than all of the Bears’ tight ends combined in 2019.

Considering the lack of production and injury history of Chicago’s top two tight ends — Trey Burton and Adam Shaheen — the Bears desperately need dependable tight ends.

Given the Matt Nagy offense thrives off tight end production, the Bears need to turn to all avenues — free agency and the NFL Draft — to finally get reliability out of the position. Ebron would be a good place to start.

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Bleacher Report: Bears should target TE Austin Hooper in free agency

The biggest need for the Bears this offseason is tight end, a position group that underwhelmed in 2019. Maybe Austin Hooper is the answer.

Arguably the biggest need for the Bears this offseason is tight end, a position group that woefully underwhelmed in 2019.

Bears receivers combined for 46 receptions for 416 yards and one touchdown in 2019. For context, 21 individual tight ends bested those numbers in 2019.

One of those tight ends was Falcons’ Austin Hooper, who had 75 receptions for 787 yards and six touchdowns. His production garnered him his second Pro Bowl honor.

Bleacher Report believes that Hooper is Chicago’s ideal free agent target:

Hooper is exactly the type of performer the Bears currently lack. He can provide a reliable outlet to make life easier on quarterback Mitchell Trubisky.

Granted, the 25-year-old tight end shouldn’t be viewed as a Travis Kelce-like difference-maker in head coach Matt Nagy’s scheme, but he’s the best option in thin free-agent and weak draft classes.

Trey Burton and Adam Shaheen were among those that underperformed before winding up on injured reserve before the end of last season. The Bears simply need better from the tight end position, especially given the importance of tight end in Matt Nagy’s offense.

The Bears will no doubt be looking to bring in talent at the tight end position through free agency and the NFL Draft. Hooper would be a reliable weapon for a struggling Mitchell Trubisky and help bring production back to the tight end position.

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