4 free agents the Eagles could sign from the Bears 2023 roster

Despite the changes we saw from the Philadelphia Eagles over the past month-plus, it’s still relatively easy to see what they need. Most of said needs are on the defensive side of the ball. It’s Vic Fangio's show moving forward. That means linebackers and safeties will be important to the roster construction. 

Luckily for us, they'll have options during free agency. Some can be found in strange places. Who knew? Who would have imagined the Chicago Bears had talent? One of their impending free agents is one of the best safeties to ever play for Fangio. That's good news. Let's dig a little deeper.

The Eagles have a chance to add a key player and some depth with free agents from the Bears.

Ladies and gentlemen, take a gander. We're examining the Chicago Bears 2023 roster ahead of free agency.

1. Eddie Jackson - Safety

Eddie Jackson is 30 years old and entering his eighth NFL season. He has been good for most of his career, but his peak came in 2018 and 2019. That’s important to us because that was when he played for Vic Fangio, the Eagles’ new defensive coordinator. 

While Philly would be wise to avoid older defensive backs, Jackson is an outlier. We know he is familiar with this scheme and can play well as part of it. Also, James Bradberry-esque drop-off is less likely at safety than cornerback.

2. Yannick Ngakoue - Edge

Yannick Ngakoue is 28 years old and entering his ninth NFL season. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2016 and played four years there. He has since become a mercenary.

Yannick has now seen five different teams since leaving Duval County: Minnesota, Baltimore, Las Vegas, Indianapolis, and Chicago. 

He’s no longer a top-50 player at his position. In 2022 he finished the season with 9.5 sacks, but that number fell to four sacks in 2023. Some of that might have been due to his broken ankle, one he suffered in Week 14.

He’s played 5,845 defensive snaps in his career but is still young. He could be a good band-aid edge rusher for the Eagles in 2024, but based on his history, he wouldn’t stick around for the long term.

3. Lucas Patrick - Center

We have to start looking at potential backup centers since Jason Kelce retired. It’s a situation that we knew would happen but we were never prepared for. 

Lucas Patrick is 30 years old and is entering his ninth NFL season. He has guard/center versatility which means a lot when we’re talking about the Eagles’ seventh offensive lineman.

He will have to change his number from 62 though. That number needn't be worn by any Eagles player again.

4. D’Onta Foreman - Running Back

D’Onta Foreman is 27 years old and entering his seventh NFL season. He has enjoyed a weird career for the most part.

He was drafted by the Houston Texans in 2017. He tore his Achilles in 2018 and was waived in 2019 for missing meetings. Then, he missed the entire season with a torn bicep. 

So for a six-year NFL veteran, the fact that he only has 585 career carries is slightly enticing, but all of the other baggage is worrisome. 

Foreman is a big guy who still has tread. He wouldn’t be an RB1 in Philly's offense by any means, but with the current state of the free agent running back market, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Eagles picked up a cheap situational bruiser to compete for a roster spot in 2024.

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