Chicago Bears free agency 2021: Top 5 targets

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Pittsburgh Steelers free agency, Jameis Winston

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 13: Jameis Winston #2 of the New Orleans Saints warms up prior to taking on the New Orleans Saints at Lincoln Financial Field on December 13, 2020, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /

3. Bears top free-agent targets — QB Jameis Winston

Filling the quarterback position remains the most important question that Pace needs to answer this offseason. Nick Foles is still on the roster after an ineffective debut in Chicago while the franchise really needs to move on from Trubisky.

The trade market could be an option for the Bears, who have reportedly checked in on Carson Wentz and should definitely look into any Deshaun Watson market, but bringing a guy in to compete with Foles is the best short-term play. The highest-upside guy on the market is Winston, who spent 2020 as a backup quarterback in New Orleans.

Winston has the pedigree of being a top overall pick in the 2015 draft and is only two years removed from leading the NFL in passing yards and threw for 33 touchdowns. The reason that Winston didn’t land a starting job last winter is that he also led the NFL in interceptions with 30.

A year learning under Sean Payton could do wonders for Winston, who still has a ton of talent and is more than capable of being a starter in this league. Taking a flyer on Winston’s potential is a savvy move for the Bears, who can evaluate him now while deciding when to try and draft a long-term answer.

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