The Chicago Bears saw a flurry of activity around the NFL to kick off the week, with their final organized team activity taking place on Tuesday. One of those moves involved an NFC North rival.
While the Bears’ roster may not be complete, general manager Ryan Poles has them in a spot where they do not need to pursue or even be linked to every big name that comes available.
Bears in Good Spot Amid NFL Free Agency Flurry
Jaire Alexander a Poor Fit for Bears
The Green Bay Packers cut cornerback Jaire Alexander on Monday, putting the two-time Pro Bowler on the open market after failing to reach an agreement on a pay cut. At his peak, Alexander ranked among the top CBs, which would appeal to any team, including the Bears.
Opponents have completed 57.8% of their passes in his coverage in his career, per Pro Football Reference.
He has struggled with injuries, though, missing 34 games since the start of the 2021 campaign.
Moreover, Alexander is listed at 5-foot-10. He is smaller than the Bears’ top three perimeter corners, Jaylon Johnson, Kyler Gordon, and Tyrique Stevenson, top reserve Terell Smith, and has less experience inside than current NB2, Josh Blackwell.
All of that is even before considering the financial ramifications of the Bears possibly adding Alexander, who turned 28 in February, or the issues that led to his exit from the Packers.
Ex-Bengals LB Would Make for Pricey Luxury Addition
Former Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt is a similar case as Alexander. He is a proven veteran who could help the team, but extenuating circumstances likely mean he will land elsewhere.
Chief among them, he has started 79 of his last 80 games played.
The Bears already have a pair of starting linebackers, and they figure to be in nickel packages often, which could mean two-LB looks more often than not.
Pratt has logged 261 total tackles over the last two seasons, and he has experience playing all three linebacker spots. All of that likely means there will be a reasonable market for his services, in which greater opportunities may arise.
Bears Miss Out on Pro Bowl RB
The Bears were among the teams linked to Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb. The four-time Pro Bowler signed with the Houston Texans on June 9, further dwindling the market at the position.
Chicago has 2023 Pro Bowler D’Andre Swift and 2023 fourth-round pick Roschon Johnson leading their backfield, and rookie seventh-rounder Kyle Monangai could mix in this year.
However, Chubb, who signed a one-year deal worth up to $5 million, was a rarity among RBs.
The 29-year-old was the last (former) workhorse on the market. The Bears’ best remaining options are J.K. Dobbins, Jamaal Williams, Gus Edwards, and Chase Edmonds, all of whom have durability concerns.
Chubb does too, but the upside with him was also far more obvious, and his running style would have complemented Swift’s. Perhaps the Bears truly are content with their group.
Still, of all the deals that went down on Monday, Chubb’s signing may have resonated the most for the Bears.