Chicago Bears’ bargain bin free agent target could explode in Dennis Allen’s defense

General manager Ryan Poles and the Chicago Bears may need to go bargain shopping in free agency this offseason.

One year removed from a bombastic offseason makeover along the offensive line that included trading for All-Pro Joe Thuney, and signing top free agent center Drew Dalman, Poles and Chicago may need to look for more affordable deals to improve a defense with some key holes to fill in the months ahead.

Since the Bears are currently $5 million over the cap, this offseason may be more about precision and smart spending than adding big names at big contracts.

Linebacker Nakobe Dean could be an ideal fit for the Chicago Bears

Linebacker is a pressing need for the Bears, and that’s before even considering the possibility that Chicago could move on from veteran Tremaine Edmunds to create cap space.

If Poles and the Bears are shopping for short-term contracts for free agents with massive upside, Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean could be a perfect fit to watch for Chicago.

As NFL Media’s Kevin Patra points out, Dean could be poised to be one of the biggest bargains of the offseason.

“The former third-round pick owns the type of athleticism and playmaking that could get him paid this offseason,” Patra writes of Dean. “In four seasons in Philly, the off-ball linebacker proved he could get after the quarterback (7.5 sacks) and patrol the middle of the field. However, an extensive injury history could curtail his payday.

“The defender hasn’t played a full slate since 2017, missing 21 missed regular-season games over the past three seasons alone, and was out for most of Philly’s Super Bowl run in 2024. Teams generally shy away from spending big on players with long-term durability questions, which could put Dean on a short-term prove-it path.”

Injuries could certainly keep Dean’s price down, but the former Georgia standout has posted 110 total tackles with seven sacks and one interception oveer the past two seasons.

Playing in coordinator Dennis Allen’s attack-style defense that emphasizes strong linebacker play, Dean could be a great fit on a one-year contract to give the Bears’ defense a jolt and potentially play his way into a lucrative long-term contract in Chicago or elsewhere next offseason.

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