Free Agent Marketplace Taking Shape Early for Bears

It's possible decisions by other teams could come into play for the Bears even before free agency begins on March 11.

Among them is former Rams center Brian Allen, a player who was of interest to the Bears in the past but now would have a direct ties to them through new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron.

A 6-foot-3, 302-pound native of west suburban Hinsdale, Allen was waived after a six-year career with numerous injury issues. He was with the Rams when Waldron was with L.A., although he was a starter only in 2019 with Waldron there. Waldron left for Seattle in 2021 when the Rams won the Super Bow. 

Allen, a fourth-rounder from Michigan State, became a starter in 2019 during his second season and suffered a season-ending knee injury. He missed seven games that season and was still trying to get beyond the injury in 2020 when he suffered a bout with COVID. He became the first player in the NFL to publicly announce he had tested positive for COVID, and missed the entire season as a result of the illness and injury.

Allen started all but one game in 2021 and all four playoff games including the Super Bowl. Pro Football Focus had him graded one of the best overall centers that season. Then he had knee, calf and thumb injuries in 2022 and played in only seven games. Last year Allen was a healthy reserve behind Coleman Shelton and played only 34 snaps on offense.

A player like Allen could be a fit if the Bears drafted a center because it's a position that can challenge rookies.

Another possible but unlikely option at the position is Chargers center Corey Linsley. At 32, he might not be someone the Bears would pursue and he had a non-emergency heart issue last year that caused the Chargers to put him on the non-football illness list. Linsley is a former Packers center who was All-Pro and a Pro Bowl selection. Linsley agreed to re-do his contract from $11 million to $1 million for this season for the purpose of receiving a post-June 1 release designation, according to Spotrac.com.

Other decisions being made could impact who the Bears could pursue. The Chiefs picked up an option in the contract of defensive lineman Chris Jones which allowed them to use the franchise tag on him, although they haven't yet announced they are. Teams have until March 5 to tag players.

Jones' pay on the tag would be a whopping $32 million or 20% of his 2023 cap figure. Kansas City is trying to find a way to keep both Jones and cornerback L'Jarius Sneed, who is scheduled to be a free agent. They can't tag both. Overthecap.com lists the Chiefs at $12.3 million of effective cap space but with ability to restructure other deals to creat space.

The Bears are also in the safety market now after releasing starter Eddie Jackson. the Patriots' Adrian Phillips and Lions' Tracy Walker were released, although neither was a full-time starter last season after starting at various points in their careers.

Spotrac.com projects the Bears to have about $70 million in cap space available. Overthecap.com lists it at $54.8 million, a figure which eliminates space needed to sign rookies. That will be a bigger expense for the Bears this season than in the past with the first pick overall and another early first-round pick.