The 2022 NFL free agency period is off and running at a furious pace. As players continue to sign during free agency, predictions for free agent OT Eric Fisher continue to be discussed. Which NFL teams who need additional offensive line help could benefit the most from acquiring Fisher in free agency?
Predictions for Eric Fisher in 2022 NFL free agency
The Indianapolis Colts and Fisher were hoping to work something out before free agency began. However, that didn’t come to fruition, and Fisher is on the open market for the second season in a row.
The 31-year-old played in 15 games for the Colts last season despite suffering a torn Achilles in the AFC Championship Game as a member of the Chiefs during the 2020 campaign. Fisher wasn’t his normal self following the injury. He allowed 41 pressures, 11 QB hits, and 7 sacks while committing 8 penalties last season.
In 2021, Fisher made just under $8.5 million, so it will be intriguing to see what type of contract he signs this offseason and whether teams feel his play will bounce back a full year removed from injury. Fisher, whom the Chiefs selected No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, could be looking for a similar deal this time around.
At 6’7″ and 315 pounds, Fisher could intrigue several teams given his length and ability to hold down the blindside. Thanks to his veteran presence, Fisher should not remain on the free agency market much longer.
Chicago Bears
When you’re making free agency predictions, looking for potential reunions is a good place to start. For Fisher, that leads us to the Bears, specifically GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus. Poles was in Kansas City when the Chiefs drafted Fisher and saw his development up close. The same goes for Eberflus, who was the defensive coordinator of the Colts last season. While he did not directly coach Fisher, he is clearly aware of what Fisher brings to the offensive line.
The Bears have several questions left to answer upfront. Lucas Patrick was signed from Green Bay and is expected to take over at center, but what does Chicago do with Teven Jenkins? If they were to sign Fisher in free agency, Jenkins could slide back to his natural position of right tackle. If Fisher is over his injury, he’d be a great fit for what the Bears want to do offensively.
Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks have had offensive line issues for multiple seasons. Last year, Seattle’s front five remained porous, allowing the eighth-most sacks in the NFL (46). Now, they have a hole at left tackle, as Duane Brown has become a free agent after four years with the team. Heading into his age-37 season, it’s understandable why the team has (as yet) opted to move on from Brown.
Fisher would be an immediate plug-and-play option for Seattle. He’s an excellent fit for how offensive coordinator Shane Waldron wants to run this offense. Given that Fisher should have a better season in 2022 than he did in 2021, he could be a noticeable upgrade at the position and could land a multi-year deal from the Seahawks.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The re-building of the Steelers offensive line continues in 2022. After signing both G James Daniels and C Mason Cole, Pittsburgh could make a third dip into the free agent pool and nab Fisher to protect new Steelers QB Mitchell Trubisky’s blindside. Also, wow, that was the first time I have written “Steelers QB Mitchell Trubisky,” and I feel weird. That’s going to take some getting used to.
In his first NFL campaign, Dan Moore Jr. offered average production at left tackle, but he was nothing to write home about. Taking over for Alejandro Villanueva, who was released before the 2021 season, Moore played in 16 games, allowed 46 pressures and 7 sacks, and was penalized 5 times. While he did show his youth at times, Moore potentially gave the Steelers enough to believe the left tackle job should be his moving forward. However, the possibility of signing Fisher might be too tempting to pass up for Mike Tomlin.