We’re less than a week away from the start of free agency, where the Chicago Bears are set to be quite active as general manager Ryan Poles retools the NFL’s worst roster.
Technically, the legal tampering period starts Monday, where most of the big-name deals will be agreed upon ahead of the new league year on Wednesday. And it sounds like there’s one name that Bears fans should keep an eye on.
According to 670 the Score’s Dan Bernstein, there’s been a ton of buzz about offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey being a top target for Chicago in free agency.
“All I’ve been told is keep your eye on former Notre Dame tackle and current 49ers right tackle Mike McGlinchey,” Bernstein said on Bernstein and Holmes on Thursday. “That’s the name. I can’t tell you definitively what’s going on or where talks have been or who’s talking to whom. But sometimes you start hearing enough buzz around a guy — he’s very buzzy right now.”
As Bernstein and co-host Laurence Holmes both mention, it’s not a surprise considering the Bears’ needs along the offensive line and McGlinchey being a perfect scheme fit in Chicago. It also helps that the Bears have the resources — roughly $100 million in salary cap space — to bring one of the top offensive tackles in free agency to Chicago.
The Bears are reportedly expected to be active in pursuing offensive linemen during free agency, and there are no shortage of options, including McGlinchey, Orlando Brown Jr., Kaleb McGary and Jawaan Taylor.
There are needs across the offensive line for Chicago, where no starting job is guaranteed. But it starts at the tackle position, especially after quarterback Justin Fields was sacked a league-high 55 times in 15 games.
Braxton Jones, who was solid as a rookie at left tackle, is someone the Bears are quite high on. But, if there’s an upgrade to be had, you have to assume Poles is going to take it.
McGlinchey played exclusively at right tackle for the 49ers, but he’s someone you could see Chicago flipping to the right side, if need be, and putting Jones in his place.
The offensive line is sure to be an evolving unit throughout the offseason, including when the NFL draft arrives next month.
