The Chicago Bears 2014 Free Agent Signings Analysis

The Chicago Bears free agent signings signifies their commitment to defense.  The Chicago Bears analysis of the free agents signed and players lost for the 2014 NFL season and where they will fit in on the roster. Will these additions help The Chicago Bears improve their defense and get them to the NFL playoffs in 2014?

 

The Chicago Bears finished the 2013 season at 8-8 behind their arch-rival The Green Bay Packers. It was a very weird season for Coach Marc Marc Trestman and the Bears. Known for their amazing defenses over the past 50 years, this was a year that the defense was sub par and the offense was operating in overdrive. Having a great Tight End, two Pro Bowl wide receivers and a running game makes it a high octane offense. Last year QB Jay Cutler had two injuries that kept him out of the mid-season games. That should have been a kiss of death but their backup veteran QB Josh McCown looked as good or better than Cutler enabling the Bears to stay in the playoff race longer than was expected. The Bears lost 9 players to free agency and signed 13 players from other teams. Like the free agency period signings, Chicago Bears and Marc Trestman focused on the defense in he 2014 NFL Draft. Here is a detailed analysis I wrote on their draft picks, 2014 Chicago Bears NFL Draft Report Card and Player Analysis. The Bears have a great foundation to build on with their draft picks and free agent signings which will enable them to get the defense back to the level expected of this franchise.

Players lost in the off season to other teams

• Zack Bowman, CB--6th Season signed with The New York Giants


• Jeremy Cain, LB--7th Season signed with The Tampa Bay Buccaneers


• Devin Hester, WR--8th Season signed with The Atlanta Falcons


• Josh McCown, QB--11th season signed with The Tampa Bay Buccaneers


• Henry Melton, DT--5th Season signed with The Dallas Cowboys


• Julius Peppers, DE--12th Season signed with The Green Bay Packers


• Adam Podlesh, P--7th season signed with The Pittsburgh Steelers


• Corey Wootton, DT--4th Season signed with The Minnesota Vikings


• Major Wright, SS--4th Season signed with The Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Players signed in free agency from other teams

• Jared Allen, DE--10th Season signed from The Minnesota Vikings


• Brian De La Puente, C--4th Season signed from The New Orleans Saints


• Shaun Draughn, RB--2nd Season signed from The Baltimore Ravens


• Domenik Hixon, WR--8th Season signed from The Carolina Panthers


• Lamarr Houston, DE--4th Season signed from The Oakland Raiders


• Israel Idonije, DE--10th Season signed from The Detroit Lions


• M.D. Jennings, FS--3rd Season signed from The Green Bay Packers


• Danny McCray, SS--4th Season signed from The Dallas Cowboys


• Josh Morgan, WR--6th Season signed from The Washington Redskins


• Matthew Mulligan, TE--5th Season signed from The New England Patriots


• Ryan Mundy, FS--5th Season signed from The New York Giants


• Jordan Senn, LB--6th Season signed from The Carolina Panthers


• Willie Young, DE--4th Season signed from The Detroit Lions

2014 Signings that will instantly upgrade the Chicago Bears.

A few names leap off the page as true Chicago Bears; Devin Hester, Julius Peppers, and Josh McCown. They all contributed greatly and will be sorely missed. WRs Domenik Hixon and Josh Morgan adds two slot receivers for Jay Cutler and spreads the field even more. DEs Jared Allen, Israel Idonije, and Lamarr Houston will bring the heat will be exactly what the Chicago defense needs to get back to their old selves. The additions of three free safeties gives Chicago a great depth in the secondary.

Outlook for the 2014 Chicago Bears season

Looks like Marc Trestman had a plan and is sticking to it. I expect a great battle in the NFC North. It is a very balanced division and who will win it could be decided the final week of the season. The Chicago Bears 2014 season schedule starts at home with The Philadelphia Eagles and ends with The Minnesota Vikings on the road. They will face NFC North rivals teams, Green Bay Packers, the Vikings and the Detroit Lions, each once at home and once on the road. They face the AFC East Jets, Patriots, Bills, and Dolphins one game each. If they win these games, they win their division easily. The Bears will have a tough time beating the Packers but think that they will have an outstanding chance of making the playoffs in 2014.