The Bears were one of the league’s most active teams in free agency a year ago, and while they likely won’t earn that somewhat dubious honor again in 2015, the team added Pernell McPhee early and has continued to sign players since then, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Our latest round of Bears notes includes details on a couple contracts for those free agent signees, as well as an update on another potential target….
- Free agent running back Jacquizz Rodgers is visiting the Bears, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Running back is one position where the team certainly doesn’t need a starting lineup upgrade, but Rodgers, a former Falcon, is a versatile back who could be a nice backup for Matt Forte. During his four years in Atlanta, the 25-year-old carried the ball 305 times and added 155 receptions.
- Alan Ball‘s one-year deal with the Bears is worth $3MM, including a $1MM signing bonus and a $1.95MM base salary, reports Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun (via Twitter). The Panthers’ offer to Ball had a base value of $2MM, so it’s no surprise that the cornerback turned it down in favor of the Bears’ proposal.
- The Bears received some criticism when they signed Ray McDonald, who was the subject of domestic violence allegations last year. However, the team certainly didn’t invest heavily in the defensive lineman. Per Tom Pelissero of USA Today (Twitter links), McDonald’s one-year deal with Chicago is worth $1.05MM, with no guaranteed money. The former Niner can earn up to $1.5MM with incentives.
- Bleacher Report draft guru Matt Miller tweets that he doesn’t think the Bears need to draft a defensive player with the seventh overall pick, suggesting that taking the best player available would be the team’s best move.