Unrestricted Free Agents have completed four or more accrued seasons (played in 6+ regular season games per season). Upon expiration of his contract, an Unrestricted Free Agent is free to sign with any club with no draft choice compensation owed to his old club.
A Restricted or Unrestricted Free Agent may be designated by his prior club as its Franchise Player or Transition Player.
QB Chase Daniel
OL TJ Clemmings
OG Ted Larsen
OT Cornelius Lucas
TE Bradley Sowell
DL Brent Urban
DL Nick Williams
LB Nick Kwiatkoski
LB Kevin Pierre-Louis
LB Danny Trevathan
OLB Aaron Lynch
S Deon Bush
S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
DB DeAndre Houston-Carson
DB Sherrick McManis
LS Patrick Scales
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RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
Players with three accrued seasons (played in 6+ regular season games per season) who have received a qualifying offer become Restricted Free Agents when their contracts expire at the conclusion of the league year.
If a player with three accrued seasons has received a “qualifying offer” — a salary tender predetermined by the CBA — from his old club, he can negotiate with any club through an April deadline.
If the RFA signs an offer sheet with a new club, his old club can match the offer and keep him because they have a Right of First Refusal on any offer sheet the player signs. If the old club does not match the offer, it may receive draft choice compensation depending on the amount of its qualifying offer.
If an offer sheet is not executed on or before the April deadline, the player’s negotiating rights revert exclusively to his old club.
A Restricted Free Agent may be subject to a “qualifying offer.” A Restricted or Unrestricted Free Agent may be designated by his prior club as its Franchise Player or Transition Player.
DL Roy Robertson-Harris
LB Devante Bond
OLB Isaiah Irving
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EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENT
Any player with fewer than three accrued seasons (played in 6+ regular season games per season) and an expired contract is considered an Exclusive Rights Free Agent. If his original team offers him a one-year contract and the league minimum (based on his credited seasons), the player cannot negotiate with other teams.
Player or Transition Player.
QB Chase Daniel - Bye
OL TJ Clemmings - Bye
OG Ted Larsen - Bye
OT Cornelius Lucas - Wasn't awful, might be worth another look
TE Bradley Sowell - Bye (for the 30th time)
DL Brent Urban - Decent depth, history with Pagano.
DL Nick Williams - Back if reasonable
LB Nick Kwiatkoski - Priority
LB Kevin Pierre-Louis - Unexpected, might look to compete as a starter, but I'd like him back
LB Danny Trevathan - Sorry dude, they can't afford you anymore.
OLB Aaron Lynch - Bye
S Deon Bush - Tough, but I'd like him back
S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix - Maybe, depending on how much he wants. I'd take Bush instead.
DB DeAndre Houston-Carson - STer that shouldn't cost much
DB Sherrick McManis - At some point, the longest tenured Bears has to go.
LS Patrick Scales - He's fine
