Bears Free Agent Focus: Orlando Brown Jr. |
In case you have missed it, or at the very worst, have lost interest in the Bears based on their season this year, the Chicago Bears have a chance to make a ton of noise this offseason. Not only do they occupy the first pick in the NFL draft for the first time in franchise history, but they have the most money to spend of any team this offseason which could dictate the free agent market.
However, according to a recent report that was dropped over the weekend, the Bears will have less money to spend than they initially anticipated, but not enough to take them out of having the most of any team. When you look at the upcoming free agent class, there are tons of needs this team should focus on, but one of those has to be the offensive line. Why not make a run for current Kansas City Chiefs OT Orlando Brown, as he is set to hit free agency following the Superbowl? Looking back at the Bears offense this season, they struggled, but they did improve as the season went on. Justin Fields showed a ton of growth, but his passing stats are nowhere near where the Bears want them to be, and that is what needs to be addressed this offseason. A big reason for his struggles in the passing game stems from taking so many sacks, as the Bears offensive line allowed 58 sacks this past season. That was the fourth most in the NFL, and it does make life miserable even for the most mobile QBs in the game. Some of that had to do with Fields holding on to the ball too long, but the Bears also need to do a better job of giving Fields some protection up front. When you look at the Bears offensive line this past season, only rookie Braxton Jones started all 17 games. However, he is better suited for right tackle, which could open up things for the Bears to address the interior part of their line and go after Left Tackle. This is where adding Brown to the mix makes a ton of sense, as he has done a phenomenal job of protecting Patrick Mahomes since the start of his career. Brown is a five-year NFL veteran and has played at an all-pro level since the day he arrived. He started his career with the Ravens before coming to the Chiefs and has played in 75 games since the start of his career. Not only that, but he is a four-time pro bowler and is still just 26 years old. Adding him would give the Bears a left tackle anchor they could have for multiple seasons and a physical presence on the line that they have lacked for years. While Brown could be a primary focus for the Bears once the free agent process begins, they will not be alone as several other teams are expected to make at him. That does include the Chiefs, who franchise-tagged him last season, but will be looking to come to a long-term agreement this offseason. Looking at the rest of the offensive tackles on the market, Brown is going to be one of the best, if not the best, and that alone will make him the top target for many teams. We have seen it for years. Winning football games starts with winning in the trenches, and Brown can certainly win in the trenches. Should the Bears be interested in him and want to land him, it will be costly and will not be for a short-term fix. You are looking at someone who will get a five or six-year deal and get roughly 20 million per season. That is a significant hit in terms of where your financial status is, but the Bears have plenty of money and would be able to make that happen. These are the moves the Bears need to make to get back on track and be taken seriously in the NFC again. This would be a significant boost to the Bears offense in both the rushing and passing game, and he could be a core piece moving forward.
