Chicago Bears Expected To Make A Hard Run At Top Free Agent

The Chicago Bears approach what should be an active off-season for GM Ryan Poles and the new regime. They will have plenty of resources to work with, including $100+ million in salary cap space and likely a top five draft pick. Most people are focused on the latter since Poles said he intends to build through the draft. However, don’t overlook the obvious. Chicago is going to spend some serious money next March. They have way too many holes on their roster not to. Poles has to land at least one or two difference-makers for his team to get them pointed in the right direction.

There is no shortage of possibilities. Defensive tackles like Da’Ron Payne or Dre’Mont Jones would make perfect sense for their front four. Maybe another cornerback like Jamel Dean could help their leaking pass coverage. A pressing need for wide receiver help might push them to somebody like Mecole Hardman or Jakobi Meyers. However, Brad Spielberger of Pro Football Focus has it on good authority who the organization is likely to covet most. That is Green Bay Packers offensive lineman Elgton Jenkins.

“The Chicago Bears with offensive coordinator Luke Getsy coming over from Green Bay this past offseason could not be a more ideal fit for his services, and they happen to have roughly $125 million in projected 2023 cap space at their disposal. If the Packers don’t work out an extension or place the tag on Jenkins, expect them to throw a literal bag at one of the league’s most versatile offensive linemen.”

The Chicago Bears are right to target Jenkins.

Not only is he an excellent player who can move around the line without losing effectiveness, but his exit would also weaken the Packers simultaneously. It isn’t clear where the two sides stand. Green Bay tends to prefer keeping its own players. However, they also have a history of letting certain ones go from time to time. Jenkins is an interesting case. The Packers are projected to have less than $4 million in cap space next year. Jenkins will likely command a deal somewhere between $17-20 million per year. They already pay left tackle David Bakhtiari $23 million per year. Are they ready to pay two offensive linemen such contracts at the same time with their limited resources?

It’s not like Green Bay hasn’t let good guards walk before. Josh Sitton was released in 2016 despite going to two straight Pro Bowls. T.J. Lang walked in 2017 after making the Pro Bowl the year prior. Age was a factor in those decisions as both approached 30 years old. Jenkins will be 27 before the end of December. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Green Bay franchise tagged him, presuming a long-term deal can’t be worked out. However, if they do decide to let him walk, the Chicago Bears are the obvious destination, given their resources and the coaching connection. He’d be an instant upgrade at left guard over Cody Whitehair.