Bobby Okereke Seems Ideal Bears Fit

Past ties always matter when free agency begins, as Equanimeous St. Brown's signing with the Bears in free agency last year and return for 2023 testify.

If there is a player in free agency whose past ties could lead him to the Bears in this signing period, at least on defense it seems to be Colts linebacker Bobby Okereke.

Rated 49th by Pro Football Focus among all free agents, Okereke's experience in Matt Eberflus' system could make for a rapid conversion. Not only is Okereke experienced at weakside linebacker but his first position was middle linebacker. The Bears could use starters at either spot.

Bears Very Short on Linebackers

The Bears have no linebackers under contract with starting NFL experience besides second-year linebacker Jack Sanborn, who got six starts after Roquan Smith's departure. Nicholas Morrow, Matthew Adams and Joe Thomas are unrestricted free agents.

Okereke put his versatility on display with the Colts by assuming Shaq Leonard's weakside linebacker spot after the All-Pro's season ended early due to a back injury. Okereke made 151 tackles, two forced fumbles, six tackles for loss and five pass breakups.

During Super Bowl week, Okereke did a radio row podcast interview with Windy City Gridiron and said his past familiarity with Eberflus could be a factor where he signs.

"Obviously, just taking in a lot of factors, obviously scheme and coaches and just position fit, where I feel like I'm going to be most comfortable on a football field," he said, explaining what he'll take into account.

More than the scheme, he seems to have that attachment to Eberflus that a number of his former players have.

"Yeah, I love coach Eberflus and I think he's an incredible coach," Okereke told Windy City Gridiron. "He's honestly a great leader of men.

He's a great motivational leader. And he's a very principled guy, you know?

"Day 1 when I came in he talked about those HITS principles: hustle, intensity, takeaway and playing smart. And he's just a consistent guy. He's going to demand the best out of you every single day. And his energy is going to be high every single day. I've got a lot of respect for him."

If Okereke returned to Indianapolis, it appears likely he'd be either squeezed out of a job or be put into very competitive job battle. Zaire Franklin stepped up along with Okereke last year when Leonard was hurt. Franklin ended up leading the Colts with 167 tackles.

Okereke has been a steady pass coverage linebacker with paser ratings against of 94.9 and 91.3 the last two seasons as a starter, and 97.3 and 89.7 in his first two seasons when he was called upon to start half of each season.

Possible Cash for Okereke

The Colts are about $4.8 million under the salary cap according to Overthecap.com, so the Bears are easily in position to compete for Okereke or even for Eagles free agent linebacker T.J. Edwards if they desire.

Pro Football Focus projects Okereke will get a three-year deal averaging $8.5 million per year with $15.75 million guaranteed but Spotrac.com projects an average of $2.3 million per year.

Twitter: BearDigest@BearsOnMaven