The Chicago Bears ought to steer clear of this just-released free agent.
The Tennessee Titans recently released offensive tackle Taylor Lewan, making him an immediate free agent. With the Chicago Bears having ample resources and multiple needs, it's simple to link almost any free agent to the team. So, is Lewan a good fit for the Bears?
The answer is no. The obvious reason to avoid him is that he's recuperating from a torn ACL. Lewan sustained the injury in September, and while he may be prepared for week one, it's probable that he'll need most of the season to return to form. This is excellent if you're a contender and want him to perform his best in the playoffs. But it's also reasonable to assume that a 31-year-old Lewan, who will likely not be coming off his best season, will need time to get back up to speed, given that this year is just about getting back to his previous level. At that point, do the Bears just want to improve over him?
Lewan also tore his ACL in 2020, raising questions about whether the years in the NFL are starting to catch up to him. There isn't much long-term upside with him.
Over the last three seasons, Lewan has played 1,202 snaps, while Braxton Jones played 1,033 snaps in one season as a rookie, providing some perspective. It's tough to depend on Lewan to remain healthy, and it's easy to assume that his best days are behind him. We haven't even touched on what it will cost to sign him yet.
While Lewan may still have a year or two of good football left in him, and it may be worthwhile for a team that invests in him, the Chicago Bears are young and rebuilding, and adding an aging player who is recuperating from an injury does not seem to make sense on their timeline. Therefore, they should avoid him in free agency.
| POLL | ||
27 FEVRIER | 34 ANSWERS The Chicago Bears ought to steer clear of this just-released free agent. Do you think the Bears should try to pursue Taylor Lewan in free agency? | ||
| Yes | 10 | 29.4 % |
| No | 24 | 70.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
