The future of cornerback Charles Tillman with the Bears is uncertain. In case Tillman leaves the Windy City, it doesn’t make sense to replace him with Quentin Jammer, who will be 35 years old at the start of the 2014 season.
The 49th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft never had a true shot with the San Francisco 49ers, which is why Taylor Mays was traded to the Cincinnati Bengals in 2011. However, Mays still hasn’t proved to be the safety everyone expected him to be. After three seasons with the Bengals, Mays has started only four games. Although the 6-foot-3, 220-pounder looks good on paper, the Bears need quality experience at safety.
Chicago is in dire need of help at the safety position. Brandon Meriweather played one season with the Bears in 2011, and fans are familiar of his playing style. Meriweather has the tendency to approach the game with a headhunter mentality, which eventually brings the eight-year veteran fines and penalties, the latter of which the Bears’ defense does not need.
It’s unfortunate that I have to put him on the list of free agents that Chicago must avoid, but the play of Major Wright in 2013 led me to no other choice. Numerous key veteran defensive starts for the Bears were out for a huge chunk of the year, and Wright, who’s been a starter for the past three season, failed to step up and fill the void as the defense’s veteran leader.
Jonathan Vilma has been a one of the best middle linebackers in the league over the past several years. Unfortunately, the 11-year pro has been slowed by knee problems over the past few seasons. After the injury-filled year Chicago had on the defensive side of the ball, Vilma is the last person the Bears need to add to their roster for 2014.
