Reported Tag Could Limit Bears in Free Agency

It could mean a shift of emphasis in free agency for the Bears before they even get started.

Nothing happened on tag day Tuesday as the period for fixing franchise tags began but Pro Football Talk reported Washington defensive tackle Daron Payne was "99.9%" certain of getting a tag from the Commanders.

The Athletic's Ben Standig reports the team is "expected" to use the franchise tag on its defensive tackle to retain him while working on a long-term deal.

This could mean shifting the emphasis on the defensive line for the Bears in free agency as they try to load up the middle and end positions before getting young talent in the draft.

Payne was likely to be the only truly dominant younger defensive tackle worth a huge contract in free agency. He had a breakout 2022 with 11 1/2 sacks.

Denver's Dre'Mont Jones, Philadelphia's Javon Hargrave and Minnesota's Dalvin Tomlinson are among the other best defensive tackles.

Jones would be a fit but lacks the versatility of Payne, who could line up as a one-technique tackle or at three technique. At 6-3, 280 pounds, Jones could be a three technique or a defensive end but is not going to be able to play the nose the way Payne could.

Hargrave could do either but is 30 years old now. He has raised his sack total each of the last three years and had 11 last season to go with 10 tackles for loss.

Tomlinson turns 29 next week and has been more of a nose tackle as a 325-pounder. If the Bears drafted a three-technique like Jalen Carter and they signed a strong nose tackle it could work because they also have Justin Jones, who can play up and down the line.

However, the idea of getting Payne would have been enticing because of his explosivness and youth. Paired with Carter, it would have made moving the ball against the interior of the Bears line very difficult.

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