Bears Would Be Smart to Prioritize DB Vonn Bell in Free Agency
By Dylan McCaffrey
After a disappointing season, the Chicago Bears ough to be trying anything and everything in order to get better in 2020. Their trade-up to select Mitchell Trubisky in the 2017 draft has failed spectacularly, and they've now traded for 31-year-old quarterback Nick Foles, who just had his worst statistical performance of his career last season in Jacksonville.
All told Matt Nagy's team still has a list of needs. And on the defensive side, their activity should start with the addition of a guy like strong safety Vonn Bell in free agency.
I'd be watching the Vonn Bell situation carefully if I were the #Bears.
— Erik Lambert (@ErikLambert1) March 19, 2020
Longer he's available, the more his price will drop and he'd be a perfect complement to Eddie Jackson. https://t.co/yHAmQyNj3s
Bell was a vocal leader with the New Orleans Saints last season, but with have the addition of Malcolm Jenkins, it's a virtual lock that Bell won't be re-signing. Right on cue, he would satisfy a need in Chicago and allow them to move on to addressing other problem areas, including a right guard and and a vertical receiving option for Foles.
Bell forming a compelling partnership with Pro Bowler Eddie Jackson should entice the Soldier Field faithful. He's a dynamic presence that can pressure the box, do some ball-hawking, and let Jackson play center field.
Since entering the league in 2016, Vonn Bell hasn’t had a season with under 80 tackles at the SS position. He’s also forced 7 fumbles in his career.
— MoreForYouCleveland (@MoreForYou_CLE) March 18, 2020
Flies around the field. #Browns pic.twitter.com/k8ueYgtiLw
If Bell doesn't ask for too much money -- at this point, he's not expected to -- then the Bears will have the freedom to pursue additional upgrades as free agency continues.