3 Players that the Bears Should Resign This Offseaosn
It has almost been two weeks since the end of the Chicago Bears' 2023-2024 season, and it is time to start looking at players the Bears should bring back.
Unlike other teams, the Bears only have one major free agent, cornerback Jaylon Johnson. The rest of their free agents are veterans and role players that can be replaced. However, that does not mean they need to replace them. If the Bears can work out team-friendly deals with the role players, then they are more than welcome to come back. With that being said, these are the three Bears that make the most sense to resign this offseason.
Jaylon Johnson
Photo Credit: Michael Reaves, Getty Images
Cornerback Jaylon Johnson is at the top of every Bears fan’s list to bring back. That’s to be expected, though, with Johnson coming off the best season of his career. This season, he gathered four interceptions and was Pro Football Focus’s No. 1 cover corner. That production led Johnson to get elected for his first Pro Bowl and become a Second Team All-Pro.
While this is definitely a season for Johnson to hang his hat on, the Bears front office will have a tough decision to make. Johnson will be looking for top cornerback money based on his production this season. However, Johnson’s production over his first three NFL seasons does not warrant top cornerback money. This conundrum probably means the Bears will use the franchise tag on him this offseason. If that is the outcome, they will need to continue to work on a long-term deal because this defense can’t afford to lose its best cornerback.
2. Josh Blackwell
Photo Credit: Michael Reaves, Getty Images
Cornerback and special teamer Josh Blackwell is an exclusive rights free agent this offseason. An exclusive rights free agent means that a player has less than three accrued NFL seasons, so the team he was on has the first opportunity to sign him to a league minimum deal. The Bears should definitely exercise this option. Over two seasons with the Bears, Blackwell has 31 total tackles (22 solo, nine assists), two forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. Blackwell’s only fumble recovery comes on a punt return where he also forced the fumble. So, even though his numbers are not anything crazy, he is still a good piece to keep around on this team. Even if it is mainly for his special team ability, a spot cornerback start if needed.
3. D’Onta Foreman
Photo Credit: Ashlee Rezin, Sun-Times
Out of the players on this list, running back D’Onta Foreman is the least likely to resign. That is because though he was healthy most of the season, but a scratch in the lineup for eight games of the season. When Foreman did get a chance to start because running back Khalil Herbert suffered an ankle injury he played well. Foreman carried the ball 87 times for 365 yards (4.1 yards per carry), and has four touchdowns in the six games he started. That’s pretty good production for a player that many thought the Bears signed to be their running back two for this season. However, it seems that rookie running back Roschon Johnson quickly surpassed Foreman in the pecking order this season. So, while the Bears could easily move on from Foreman, many fans would be happy with him coming back.