Bears, Raiders named landing spots for top free-agent

There will probably be a ton of expertise out there in NFL free company, which begins on March 13 at 4 p.m. ET. Nonetheless, there appears to be a consensus prime upcoming free agent and Professional Soccer Focus believes two groups are poised to land him.

PFF’s Brad Spielberger named the Chicago Bears and Las Vegas Raiders as landing spots for Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones.

The five-time Professional Bowler is PFF’s prime free agent this offseason after posting 74 tackles, 26 sacks and two compelled fumbles over the previous two seasons. Jones has been a key piece to Kansas Metropolis’s protection, serving to the group win three Tremendous Bowls prior to now 5 years.

The Chiefs may very properly re-sign the 29-year-old because of the NFL elevating the wage cap by an unprecedented $30 million. 

Nonetheless, Jones shouldn’t be anticipated to obtain the franchise tag, which might be value $32 million as a substitute of the common $19.7M, in accordance with ESPN’s Adam Schefter. If the 2 sides are unable to achieve an settlement on a brand new deal, the Bears or Raiders might be the benefactors.

Each groups are among the many prime 10 groups with the most salary cap space and Spielberger thinks every has argument for making a run at Jones if he had been to hit the open market.

“The Bears is probably not seeking to make this massive of a splash, and normal supervisor Ryan Poles has usually prioritized spending on youthful gamers, however we would be remiss if we did not make this connection,” Spielberger writes. “The lacking piece to Chicago’s ascending protection taking one other step is a confirmed inside go rusher.”

Chicago’s protection is actually a piece in progress. Defensive finish Montez Sweat led the group in sacks (six) after becoming a member of it on the commerce deadline. Jones may give the Bears their first double-digit sack chief since Robert Quinn posted 18.5 sacks in 2021.

Las Vegas, alternatively, may strengthen its protection, which was enjoying very properly over the second half of 2023.

“The Raiders’ protection completed the second half of the season on an absolute tear, however just a few key contributors on the inside line of defense are pending free brokers,” Spielberger writes. “A duo of Maxx Crosby and Chris Jones would instantly change into one of many league’s greatest.”

Spielberger is correct. Pairing Jones with Crosby may create one of the feared duos within the league. After all, that is solely potential if their AFC West division rival lets Jones stroll.