Which Bears free agent should they let leave?

Yesterday’s WCG round table topic was all about the Chicago Bears free agent that we want to see them re-sign, so today’s is about the one we want to see them let leave.

Whether it’s money, scheme fit, age, or something else, the Bears will no doubt elect to allow a few of their guys to walk away, and here are the players we think that should be.

Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. - Aaron Lynch, OLB - Lynch was a decent back up in 2018 on a one year deal, but there wasn’t a market for his services last offseason. The Bears brought him back for even less money to play in 2019 and then saw his productivity drop as a edge rusher while playing some defensive line. I’m ready for the Bears to land a legit developmental edge rusher or an honest to goodness #3OLB and let Lynch walk away.

Sam Householder - Danny Trevathan, ILB - Trevathan has been great as a Bear, no doubt. He was productive and a good leader, but he’s about to turn 30 and he has a history of missing games. He’d be cheaper than Kwiatkoski, but no matter which one they re-sign, they need to bringing some younger depth through the draft.

Robert Schmitz - Nick Kwiatkoski, ILB - Kwiatkoski did a great job stepping in for the injured Danny Trevathan, but he may have done too good a job for the Bears’ to afford re-signing him— with reports coming in that the rest of the league has taken interest in the young linebacker, I think that if his asking price exceeds $5 million per year Chicago would be better off letting him take his talents somewhere else. I’m not certain he’s solved his issues in over-the-middle coverage, and I’d rather let another team find out.

Bill Zimmerman - Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S - Look, Clinton-Dix had a very good season and was well worth the price that Ryan Pace paid him. It’s nothing against him, it’s more about finding a better pairing to go with Eddie Jackson. That, combined with the idea that Clinton-Dix is due for a raise after a solid season, the Bears should look elsewhere at a position where there are usually plenty of veteran safeties available.

Robert Zeglinski - Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S - I’m aware the Bears haven’t had a great history at safety aside from Eddie Jackson. I’m aware letting another gap be created on an otherwise sound defense could be shortsighted. And I like Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. But I’m of the belief his next contract will be too pricey to retain for someone on the lower tiers of importance. Finding a mid-round safety to plug into Jackson shouldn’t be that difficult, but I suppose Ryan Pace has to prove it.

Ken Mitchell - Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S - I like Clinton-Dix, but we need an in the box safety not two guys at free safety.

Patti Curl - Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S - It takes more than a year for Chicago’s winds to blow the cheese-mold stench off a former Packer and I’m not sure he’s worth the wait.

Erik Duerrwaechter - Really, none. In a perfect world I’d bring every one of the free agents back, as the depth charts are better with continuity.

But with that said, the one free agent I feel they must move on from is Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. He played some great football in year one under Chuck Pagano, great enough to warrant his own massive payday. Given the Bears’ long-term commitment to Eddie Jackson it will be tough to keep both center-fielders in Chicago at a reasonable rate. Also, they need a more physical presence that will allow E-Jax to play more freely in coverage, in order to maximize the value of their latest re-signing. Clinton-Dix has earned himself the chance at one last major contract in the NFL.

Who do you want to see the Bears let walk away?

To see the full list of Bear 2020 free agents you can click here.

And catch up on the previous three round table topics below: