The Chicago Bears have had one of the most disappointing off-seasons in the NFL. In a crucial free agency period where the Bears needed to add help for second-year quarterback Justin Fields, Chicago essentially just stood pat. Their biggest signing was wide receiver Byron Pringle, a player who has never been more than a key special teamer throughout his career. However, Chicago still has enough cap space to make some impactful signings. There are plenty of options for the Bears, but they have to act quickly before those options sign with other teams. Here are two moves Chicago could make to fill out the roster as the NFL Draft approaches.
Key Moves the Bears Need to Make to Complete Their 2022 Roster
Sign offensive lineman Daryl Williams
Chicago's approach to their offensive line has been puzzling. The Bears allowed guard James Daniels to walk in free agency. They appeared to make no effort to re-sign one of the more consistent lineman. Chicago will be forced to count on Teven Jenkins and Larry Borom at the tackle positions, making them one of the worst teams in the league in terms of talent at offensive tackle.
Williams would be a huge help to that problem. He's coming off two great years playing right tackle for the Buffalo Bills, and there's no reason to think anything will change in 2022. He's only 29, and he also has the versatility to play guard. Overall, he would provide a huge boost to an offensive line that desperately needs it.
There's really not too many options for Chicago on the offensive line. Williams is one of the only players that actually makes sense. He's still young, he's versatile, and he's a proven starter. The Bears also play in a division filled with deadly pass-rushers, including Danielle Hunter of the Minnesota Vikings and Rashan Gary of the Green Bay Packers. Entering the season without addressing the offensive line would be setting Fields up for a huge failure.
Explore trade options for linebacker Robert Quinn
Overall, the Bears have one of the worst rosters in the entire NFL. They're horrible at nearly every position on offense, and their defense relies on several great players to keep them afloat. Chicago's best option is to enter a full rebuild. That should start with a trade of Robert Quinn.
Quinn proved he's still a great edge rusher in 2021 when he notched 18.5 sacks. Unfortunately, the Bears aren't in a position to win very many games. Quinn's talent is being wasted in Chicago, a team that is probably years away from contention. It doesn't help that Chicago is paying him $14 million dollars per year. Moving Quinn would free up even more cap space while netting some premium draft picks. That's a win-win for a Bears team that desperately needs draft capital.
There should be a massive market for Quinn should the Bears choose to trade him. Teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, the Green Bay Packers, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would all likely be interested in acquiring the aging linebacker. All of them are true contenders that could use another elite edge rusher on their roster.
The Chiefs seem like the most likely team to make a move for Quinn, as they desperately need another effective pass rusher in a loaded AFC West. They also have the cap space to make the trade happen, especially if the Bears are willing to pay some of Quinn's contract. A second or third-round pick would likely be enough to make this hypothetical a reality.
Meanwhile, the Bears are already looking ahead to the draft for an edge rusher.
More on #bears prospect Arnold Ebiketie
Great get off and elite bend & twitch. Absolutely bullied Big 10 tackles and showed a variety of moves year round.
Coaches rave about his attitude & could be a draft steal & possible replacement for Robert Quinn if indeed traded pic.twitter.com/x7cfc4YmcH
— DBNB (@DaBadNewsBears) March 27, 2022
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