The Chicago Bears have several players set to be free agents in 2022. The biggest issue for the Bears will be getting younger and rebuilding around Justin Fields. Nevertheless, with one of the better cap situations in the NFL, Chicago will have options in free agency.
Chicago Bears Free Agents in 2022
Following the conclusion of the 2021 NFL season, the Bears have 30 players with expiring contracts. 24 of them will be unrestricted free agents, four are restricted free agents, and two are exclusive rights free agents.
All players are unrestricted free agents unless stated.
- Allen Robinson | WR
- Akiem Hicks | DE
- Andy Dalton | QB
- Jimmy Graham | TE
- Germain Ifedi | OT
- Tashaun Gipson Sr. | FS
- Jakeem Grant Sr. | WR
- Jason Peters | OT
- Pat O’Donnell | P
- James Daniels | G
- Jesse James | TE
- Damien Williams | RB
- Deon Bush | S
- Marquise Goodwin | WR
- Christian Jones | LB
- DeAndre Houston-Carson | S
- Elijah Wilkinson | G
- Damiere Byrd | WR
- Patrick Scales | LS
- Alec Ogletree | LB
- Artie Burns | CB
- J.P. Holtz | TE
- Alex Bars | G
- Ryan Nall | RB
- Teez Tabor | CB
- Joel Iyiegbuniwe | LB
- Sam Mustipher | C
- Lachavious Simmons | OT
- Bilal Nichols | DE
- Adam Redmond | C
Top Bears offensive free agents
The Bears’ main free agents on offense come from the skill positions. Let’s take a look at the most prominent free agents on offense.
Allen Robinson | WR
Easily the biggest free agent on the Bears, Allen Robinson desperately needs a fresh start. He played the 2021 season on the franchise tag, and his value took a serious hit. Coming off the worst season of his career, Robinson is still going to get a multi-year deal, but he will make far less than he would’ve received last year.
I would be stunned if the Bears re-signed Robinson. At 29 years old, look for Robinson to sign a 3-4 year deal with a contender. The Bears will move forward with Darnell Mooney as their WR1.
Andy Dalton | QB
Andy Dalton fared well in 2020 as Dak Prescott’s backup and thought he played well enough to earn a starting job somewhere. He thought that was in Chicago when the Bears signed him to be their starter last March. Then, they drafted Fields.
I would imagine Dalton is once again looking for someplace he can start. At $10 million, Dalton was quite the expensive backup last season. He will not be returning to Chicago, and it’s 50-50 as to whether he can find a starting role somewhere.
Jimmy Graham | TE
In 2021, the Bears paid Jimmy Graham $8 million to mostly back up Cole Kmet. However, at 35 years old, Graham can barely move anymore. He’s still big and can body defenders in the red zone, but that’s not worth $8 million.
I don’t think the Bears should re-sign Graham, but I never understood the exorbitant contract they gave him in 2020 to begin with. Don’t put anything past the Bears, but with a new regime in place and a team looking to get younger, Graham will likely not return in 2022. If he wants to continue his career, he will almost certainly find a home. I will question the judgment of the team that gives him one, though.
Germain Ifedi | RT
The Bears should definitely consider signing Germain Ifedi to an extension. After coming over from Seattle in 2020, Ifedi played the last two seasons on one-year deals.
Now 28 years old, Ifedi is still very much in his prime. He’s a stabilizing force on the offensive line and a starter on just about any team. Ifedi did deal with injuries and COVID in 2021, which could impact his future with the Bears. Ultimately, Chicago should make him an offer, but it’s unclear if he’s looking to re-up with the team.
Top Bears defensive free agents
The Bears’ defensive players hitting free agency are largely role players, but they do have at least one big-name player in need of a new deal.
Akiem Hicks | DE
It could really go either way with Akiem Hicks. On one hand, he’s still a very talented player. On the other hand, he’s 32 years old, and Chicago is looking to make the entire roster younger as they build around Fields.
Hicks has expressed a desire to re-sign with Chicago, but that doesn’t mean the Bears will oblige. If he takes a hometown discount, expect him back in Chicago. However, if Hicks wants to maximize every dollar he can get, his best offer will likely come from another team.