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3 Players the Bears Won't Be Able to Keep This Offseason

By Will Coleman

Bears linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski sets up as an edge rusher at the line of scrimmage against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Bears linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski sets up as an edge rusher at the line of scrimmage against the Kansas City Chiefs. / Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Everything about the future of Chicago Bears football was looking as good as possible two years ago, but the team has had trouble finding a rhythm ever since kicker Cody Parkey's infamous double-doink missed field goal against the Philadelphia Eagles ended their season in the 2018 Wild Card round.

Chicago went 8-8 to miss the playoffs last year and will look to get back on track in 2020. The Bears have 16 players entering the offseason as unrestricted free agents, and a few of them have almost no shot at returning to Chicago next season. Here are three players the Bears won't be able to retain.

3. Chase Daniel

Bears quarterback Chase Daniel, left, hands the ball off to running back David Montgomery against the Oakland Raiders.
Bears quarterback Chase Daniel, left, hands the ball off to running back David Montgomery against the Oakland Raiders. / Naomi Baker/Getty Images

Head coach Matt Nagy and the Bears are sticking with quarterback Mitchell Trubisky as their No. 1 guy for now, leaving almost no room for Chase Daniel to move up. With a lot of quarterback movement expected to take place around the league this offseason, Daniel will garner a good amount of attention from teams in need of depth at the position. The 33-year-old will likely take advantage of the backup QB market considering he's proven to be on the of the most reliable out there.

2. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix

Bears safety HaHa Clinton-Dix, center, meets up with a pair of former Packers teammates at midfield.
Bears safety HaHa Clinton-Dix, center, meets up with a pair of former Packers teammates at midfield. / Dylan Buell/Getty Images

Safety HaHa Clinton-Dix signed a one-year deal with the Bears last year after the Packers traded him to the Redskins in 2018, and it's likely that he'll play for a fourth team in the last three seasons. The 27-year-old decided to bet on himself with the Bears in 2019 and he made the most of his time in Chicago. Clinton-Dix broke up five passes, recorded two interceptions, and even nabbed two fumble recoveries. The safety played all but six of Chicago's defensive snaps in 2019 and likely feels he's ready for a multi-year deal, which is something the Bears won't be able to give him.

1. Nick Kwiatkoski

Bears linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski tries to get around Cowboys offensive tackle Travis Frederick.
Bears linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski tries to get around Cowboys offensive tackle Travis Frederick. / Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Nick Kwiatkoski is one five Bears linebackers who will hit the open market this offseason and it's doubtful he returns to the Bears. Chicago traded up to select the inside linebacker in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, and he'd been nothing short of a steal. The Bears haven't had to pay Kwiatkoski much more than $2 million annually since his rookie campaign, but it wasn't until last season that he really began making an impact. He started as a rotational linebacker in Chicago's defense before making a career-high eight starts in 2019 in relief of the injured Roquan Smith and Danny Trevathan, the latter of whom will also be hitting free agency. The Bears have other priorities this offseason and probably won't be able to match the offers Kwiatkoski will reel in.