Super Bowl LVII: Bears could target these free agents from Chiefs, Eagles in offseason

On Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs will face off against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII. Both teams have long been considered the best in the NFL by a wide margin, so this figures to be an exciting matchup.

Bears fans can find an extra layer of Super Bowl enjoyment by watching players who could be in Chicago next year. A few impact players on both teams are set to hit free agency this offseason. They could be looking for the kind of payday only Chicago, with its’ league-leading $98 million in available cap space, could provide.

Who are they? Let’s take a look!

Javon Hargrave

One of the best defensive tackles in the NFL right now, Hargrave should be at the top of Ryan Poles’ list of players to call. He’s racked up 23 sacks over the last three years, an incredible number for an interior lineman, and is great against the run, too. The only knock against him is that he turns 30 in February, limiting his upside somewhat.

According to Spotrac, he has a market value of $20.1 million per season.

Miles Sanders

Sanders enjoyed a career year in 2022, finishing the season with 1,269 yards and 11 touchdowns. He’s an explosive runner who’d offer the Bears more field-flipping ability than David Montgomery, and combined with Khalil Herbert, would form would of the best backfield duos in the NFL.

Most Bears fans would prefer Chicago re-sign Montgomery because of his role in the locker room and the community, but Sanders is undeniably the better running back and would be an upgrade for the offense in 2023.

Signing a running back to a big free-agent contract is risky, but Sanders’ talent may be worth it.

Jason Kelce

Arguably the best center in football, Kelce would be a massive upgrade at a major position of need for the Bears. He’s powerful and smart and would make life for quarterback Justin Fields so much easier, not only by keeping him upright but by helping him identify blitzes and adjusting protections at the line of scrimmage.

Once again, the only drawback to this signing is age. Kelce is 35, so he’d likely be just a one or two-year rental. It’s also more likely he’d retire than play for another team.

According to Spotrac, he has a market value of $11.9 million per season.

Fletcher Cox

Not quite as dominant as his teammate Hargrave and even slightly older (32), defensive tackle Fletcher Cox would still be a big upgrade for the Bears. In 11 years with the Ealges, he’s averaged six sacks per season on the interior and has missed just four out of 177 regular season games. He’s a former All-Pro and has six Pro Bowl awards.

Cox does not have a market value on Spotrac, but his most recent deal was a 1-year contract for $14 million last offseason.

Juju Smith-Schuster

The Chiefs have a fair share of appealing soon-to-be free agents, too. JuJu Smith-Schuster came from Pittsburgh via free agency last offseason and did a solid job replacing Tyreek Hill’s production, finishing the season with 78 receptions for 933 yards and three touchdowns. It’s unlikely the Bears go after a wide receiver after trading for another former Steeler, Chase Claypool, but if they choose to add a veteran, Smith-Schuster will be one of the best available.

According to Spotrac, Smith-Schuster has a market value of $14.6 million per season.

Orlando Brown Jr.

Brown has struggled the last couple of years and many Bears fans have written him off, but Poles would be wrong not to kick the tires on the experienced offensive lineman. He’s a four-time Pro Bowler and has earned a 72 grade or higher from Pro Football Focus over the last four seasons. While he plays left tackle for Kansas City, he has experience at right tackle and may benefit from a change in position.

According to Spotrac, Brown has a market value of $22.4 million per season.