The Bears are reportedly “making a push” to sign free agent cornerback Stephon Gilmore this week, but he won’t be the only player Chicago targets as it seeks to remake its secondary. The Bears are also interested in Cardinals safety D.J. Swearinger, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
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Although Chicago is presently fielding one of the league’s worst secondaries, the club does have one bright spot at safety in the form of Adrian Amos, who has shined during his first two years in the NFL. Pairing Amos with Swearinger, then, would lend instant credibility to the Bears’ back end, and allow them to further pursue cornerback upgrades through the draft or in free agency.
The Bears have often been linked to Ohio State’s Malik Hooker and LSU’s Jamal Adams in mock drafts, but adding Swearinger would give Chicago the flexibility to target other needs with the third overall pick. Plus, Swearinger figures to be relatively affordable, especially when compared with his Cardinals teammate Tony Jefferson, as Biggs notes.
Swearinger, a former second-round pick who bounced around before finding a home in Arizona, started 12 games in 2016 and posted 64 tackles, three interceptions, eight passes defensed, and two sacks. Among free agent safeties, Swearinger ranks seventh in PFR’s estimation, just behind Micah Hyde and ahead of Jahleel Addae.
Amos needs some competition this year. He should not be the presumed starter in ’17.
Amos shined?? I’m still waiting on him to make a play on the ball….
Yeah this is pretty underwhelming news. I’m not the type to just ask for the biggest names on the market, but the Bears have the money to spend on proven players…and the secondary as a whole is the top need. It’s not the time to jump in and play around in the bargain bin. SS Tony Jefferson is a no-brainer here. Then for a bargain buy go after FS Duron Harmon to compete with Amos…he had a promising first year. Not sure what you’re talking about with him shining though, especially in 2016.
Do NOT let this guy go he is a beast and has that Nima in him we need. Opposite of Larry Fitzgerald. We need that back there and on the team!! Do not let him go!! Huge mistake. Also going to a loser that has no xhance. Stay and get a ring. Own Seattle, 49ers suck and Rams are playing Flagfootball. We have the NFC West and can have the #1 spot or should have the #1 as long as no injuries!!
Arizona has about as much of a chance as the bears to win a ring…0
Amos shines when he hasn’t had an interception yet he’s a free safety this is a passing league.
Wow–talk about a reporter who is clueless–must have never watched a Bears game to say Amos shined—one if the worst safeties in the league
He absolutely played well. Would I like him to create some turnovers? Absolutely. Does it mean that he didn’t play well? No. If you think he was anywhere near the bottom of the league when it comes to safety you’re the one not watching or at least Boeing what you’re watching
*not knowing*
I hope signing a low tier Safety doesn’t mean they don’t draft Jamal Adams in the first. It would be nice to have another Mike Brown type at safety