Tag: Bears free agents

Bears re-sign LS Patrick Scales to one-year deal

Patrick Scales, the longest-tenured Bears player, is back for another season.

The longest-tenured Chicago Bear is hanging around for another season.

NFL insider Tom Pelissero is reporting the Bears are re-signing long snapper Patrick Scales to a one-year deal with over $1 million guaranteed. It’s a nice raise for Scales after he earned $940k in guaranteed money last year.

Scales has been a mainstay on special teams since signing prior to the 2015 season after bouncing around the league. Since signing with the Bears, he’s played in all but one season (2017) and hasn’t missed a game over the last six years.

Scales, who has played in 120 games for the Bears (Cole Kmet is the next-closest current player with 67 games, according to Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic), is the only member of the team leftover from the John Fox era. The 36-year-old long snapper is once again set to work with kicker Cairo Santos and punter Trenton Gill in the 2024 season.

Full list of the Bears’ 2022 free agents

Here’s a look at the Bears players set to hit the open market in 2022.

While there are still five games left in the 2021 NFL season, Chicago Bears fans are already looking ahead to the 2022 season as the team currently sits 4-8 and a long-shot to make the postseason.

In 2022, the Bears will have 30 free agents, including 24 unrestricted free agents (UFA), four restricted free agents (RFA) and two exclusive rights free agents (ERFA), per Spotrac.

There are some players due for a contract extension, including linebacker Roquan Smith, defensive tackle Bilal Nichols and offensive lineman James Daniels. And there are also some big names that Chicago will have to make a decision on, including wide receiver Allen Robinson and defensive tackle Akiem Hicks

Here’s a look at the Bears players set to hit the open market in 2022.

These 30 Bears are set to be free agents this offseason

The Bears have 22 unrestricted free agents, two restricted free agents and six exclusive rights free agents heading into this offseason.

The Chicago Bears have a long offseason ahead where some pretty important decisions await them. Quite a few of those will come in regards to the roster, where there are some decisions to make regarding in-house free agents and players currently under contract.

The Bears have 22 unrestricted free agents, two restricted free agents and six exclusive rights free agents, per Spotrac.

Here’s a look at the 30 Bears players set to hit the open market in 2021.

5 things to know about new Bears safety Tashaun Gipson

The Bears made their already-dominant defense better with the free-agent signing of veteran safety Tashaun Gipson.

The Chicago Bears made their already-dominant defense better with the free-agent signing of veteran safety Tashaun Gipson. He joins a secondary that consists of running mate Eddie Jackson, and cornerbacks Kyle Fuller and rookie Jaylon Johnson.

On paper, the Bears defense looks virtually unstoppable after some key offseason acquistions. After upgrading their pass rush this offseason with the additions of former All-Pro Robert Quinn and rookie Trevis Gipson, Chicago strengthened their secondary with a proven veteran playmaker in Tashaun Gipson.

Let’s get to know the newest Bears safety.

1. Gipson becomes the presumptive starter at strong safety

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

After not addressing safety in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Bears found a veteran safety with plenty of starting experience that figures to be the starter opposite Eddie Jackson when the 2020 season kicks off. Gipson could wind up being an upgrade over the departed Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, who had a solid outing in his lone season with Chicago.

While Gipson has played most of his career as a free safety, the Bears appear to have confidence that Gipson will thrive in the role as strong safety alongside Jackson, who will return to free safety this season, where he’s been at his best.

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Redskins agree to 1-year deal with ILB Kevin Pierre-Louis

Kevin Pierre-Louis shined in relief of an injured Roquan Smith in the final four games last season. Now, he gets paid.

The Chicago Bears have lost another valuable defensive reserve to free agency.

Former Bears inside linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis has agreed to a one-year deal with the Washington Redskins, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. The deal is worth $3.45 million with incentives.

For comparison, general manager Ryan Pace signed Pierre-Louis for $805 thousand last year.

Pierre-Louis flashed near the end of the 2019 season, where he played in relief of the injured Roquan Smith. Pierre-Louis had 28 tackles and one interception in the final four games.

The Bears re-signed inside linebacker Danny Trevathan to a three-year deal last week, locking up a valuable member of their defense. But considering some of the moves Chicago has made in free agency thus far — signing pass rusher Robert Quinn and tight end Jimmy Graham — they didn’t have the money to extend Pierre-Louis.

But Pierre-Louis isn’t the first defensive player Chicago lost to free agency. Inside linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski is headed to the Las Vegas Raiders and defensive lineman Nick Williams is staying in the NFC North with the Detroit Lions.

The interesting thing is that all three of those players weren’t starters in 2019. In fact, they all filled in for injured starters, and they certainly made it worth their while, as they’ve signed new deals elsewhere.

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Free Agency: Former Bears DL Nick Williams headed to Lions

The Bears have lost another valuable member of their defense to free agency as DL Nick Williams signs a 2-year deal with the Lions.

The Chicago Bears have lost another valuable member of their defense to free agency.

Former Bears defensive lineman Nick Williams, who had a breakout season with Chicago last season, has agreed to terms with the Detroit Lions on a two-year deal worth $10 million, according to NFL Insider Adam Caplan.

Stepping up from a reserve role as the Bears battled injuries on the defensive line, Williams shined when called upon. Williams had 42 tackles, six sacks, two fumble recoveries and two pass breakups in 2019.

Williams was poised to make some money in free agency, which is exactly what happened. Although, Bears fans certainly would’ve preferred for it to have happened outside of the NFC North.

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Who is Bears’ best free-agent signing since 2015?

Bears GM Ryan Pace has caught some flack for some of his free agent signings, but there have been some absolute hits for the Bears.

While Bears general manager Ryan Pace has caught some flack for some of his free agent signings, and rightfully so, there have been some moves that have been absolute hits for the Bears.

ESPN recently discussed some of the best and worst free agent signings for each team dating back to 2015. There’s a few that jump to mind when discussing the Bears, but ultimately Jeff Dickerson landed at receiver Allen Robinson, who has been an absolute stud in his two years in Chicago.

He already outperformed the three-year, $42 million deal he signed with Chicago. Robinson led the Bears with 98 catches for 1,147 yards and seven touchdowns last year — quite an accomplishment on a team that ranked 29th in total offense and 25th in passing offense. Robinson also posted decent numbers in 2018 (55-754-4) while still recovering from the nasty knee injury he suffered in Jacksonville. Robinson seems a logical candidate to receive an extension from the Bears in the near future.

While Robinson has proven to be an absolute home run with the Bears, you could argue that defensive tackle Akiem Hicks has been Pace’s best free agent signing. Hicks is an absolute monster in the middle of that defense, and he played through his initial contract to earn a well-deserved extension in 2017.

As for the Bears’ worst free agent signing of the last five years, the 18.5-million dollar man Mike Glennon takes the cake.

Yikes. The Bears paid Glennon $18.5 million for four starts in 2017. Chicago intended for Glennon to start the entire year so the club could groom second overall pick Mitchell Trubisky. The plan completely backfired. Everyone lost, except Glennon, who walked away with a small fortune courtesy of the Bears.

With free agency just days away, all eyes will be on Pace and what free-agent moves he has up his sleeve for 2020. Hopefully, they fall on the Robinson/Hicks end of the spectrum and not the Glennon side.

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5 safeties the Bears could target in free agency

The Bears are in search for someone opposite newly-extended Pro Bowl safety Eddie Jackson, and here are five options.

The Chicago Bears have some defensive needs this offseason, particularly in the secondary. With their current salary cap predicament — where they currently stand at $27 million with several moves left to be made — they’re going to need to find some affordable options.

The Bears are in search for someone opposite newly-extended Pro Bowl safety Eddie Jackson, who is the anchor of the backend of Chicago’s dominant defense. While the pairing of Jackson and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix was solid, Clinton-Dix is likely to explore the free agent market this offseason.

Here are five safeties the Bears could target in free agency:

1. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix

Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

When the Bears signed Clinton-Dix to a one-year prove-it deal, this was exactly what they’d hoped they’d get. Quality production at the cheap price of $3 million. But that won’t be the case in 2020, as Clinton-Dix is expected to test the waters of free agency.

While the Bears loved the duo of former Alabama teammates Clinton-Dix and Jackson, they’re not likely to be able to afford him. Clinton-Dix more than proved that he’s earned a contract extension. Only, that’s not likely to come in Chicago, as the Bears face some salary cap difficulties.

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Which pending free agent should Bears absolutely let walk?

Heading into free agency, the Bears have several pending free agents set to hit the open market. But who should they part ways with?

Heading into free agency, the Bears have several pending free agents set to hit the open market. While Chicago would like to re-sign everyone, they’re not in a position where they can do just that.

That means some important decisions on general manager Ryan Pace’s part, where several key defensive contributors are no longer under contract. Whether that’s safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, defensive tackle Nick Williams or the trio of inside linebackers in Nick Kwiatkoski, Danny Trevathan and Kevin Pierre Louis.

The Bears are going to need to part with most of them, which won’t be easy. But which player would be absolutely necessary to let go?

Bleacher Report believes that the Bears should let Danny Trevathan walk in free agency.

Trevathan’s time out this year allowed Nick Kwiatkoski the opportunity to prove himself, and he did just that. The two played almost identical snaps this season, with Kwiatkoski on the field for 512 defensive snaps to Trevathan’s 559.  Yet, the younger Kwiatkoski put up better numbers while also playing a large role on special teams. 

The main focus will be on those three inside linebackers. While Chicago should be able to re-sign Pierre-Louis, the focus centers on whether the Bears should target Kwiatkoski or Trevathan to line-up opposite Roquan Smith.

Both Kwiatkoski and Trevathan had solid seasons for the Bears in 2019. Trevathan was arguably the best player on defense before he went down with a gruesome elbow injury against the Lions in Week 10.

Kwiatkoski shined in relief of the injured Trevathan, which seemingly made Chicago’s decision between the pair even more difficult.

There are reports that the Bears are going to make Kwiatkoski a priority in free agency, given Trevathan’s age and injury history.

But if the Bears can’t afford to re-sign Kwiatkoski, they should make it a priority to bring back Trevathan.

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Kwiatkoski or Trevathan? Which Bears free agent do you want back?

The Bears have some important decisions to make regarding inside linebacker this offseason. Should it be Kwiatkoski or Trevathan?

The Bears have some important decisions to make regarding inside linebacker this offseason. With three inside linebackers set to hit free agency — Nick Kwiatkoski, Danny Trevathan and Kevin Pierre-Louis — Chicago needs to figure out who will be lining up opposite Roquan Smith next season.

When it comes down to it, the Bears need to re-sign either Kwiatkoski or Trevathan to solidify the middle of their linebacker corp. Chicago reportedly will make Kwiatkoski a top free-agent priotity following his impressive season in relief of the injured Trevathan.

But Kwiatkoski will be in high demand for that exact same reason, and the Packers are just one of several teams set to target him in free agency. He’ll require a pretty penny to re-sign, and the Bears are already in a tight bind with their salary cap, especially considering they need to bring in a veteran quarterback.

Ultimately if the Bears can’t afford Kwiatkoski, they could turn to Trevathan, who would be the cheaper option at this point. While Trevathan has proven to be an effective player and leader of this defense, he’s 30 years old with a history of injuries.

Trevathan has missed 16 games since signing with the Bears prior to the 2015 season. Which is where re-signing both Trevathan and Pierre-Louis would be essential.

What do you think Bears fans? Which inside linebacker do you want to see Chicago re-sign?

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