A SIGN OF THINGS TO COME
Now that market is set, plenty of top talent still available
PHOENIX — Free agency is a week old, and nearly 360 free agents are still looking for jobs.
About 160 veterans signed, but only a handful — most notably receiver Mike Wallace, guard Andy Levitre and tight end Jared Cook — signed premium contracts, and the market is only getting softer. Let the bargain shopping begin. “As the dust has settled, there are still some very quality players out there,” Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. “We realize where the market is right now, and you can get some very sound football players who can help and be legitimate contributors.”
Since signing two of the most coveted players at their positions — left tackle Jermon Bushrod and tight end Martellus Bennett — the Bears have closed the proverbial vault, adding defensive tackle Nate Collins and cornerback Zack Bowman to minimum contracts.
League sources indicate that the Bears have offered modest deals to a handful of their own free agents. But the Bears already lost some of them, including Nick Roach to the Oakland Raiders and Geno Hayes to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Other Bears free agents include Jason Campbell, Josh McCown, Jonathan Scott, Lance Louis, Israel Idonije, Amobi Okoye, Kelvin Hayden and, most notably, Brian Urlacher.
With $5.4 million in salary-cap space, the Bears can add to their roster, but they have to do so judiciously.
But coming off a 10-win season, the Bears could be an attractive option for veterans who are willing to sign one- or possibly two-year deals in a buyer’s market.
Here are two lists of players the Bears should sign if they can get a discount: